Filmmaker Kiran Rao came out in support of actor Imran Khan after he was directed to leave India by the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) in Mumbai. The Mumbai Police and FRRO issued a notice to the actor directing him to leave the country by October 28. The actor, who reportedly holds a US passport and an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card, was issued the notice after his participation in a CJP-led protest in Mumbai against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Kiran Rao defends Imran Khan
After the news of the notice broke, Aamir Khan’s ex-wife and ace filmmaker, Kiran Rao took to Instagram to react to the development. She shared a post about Imran being asked to leave India after participating in the demonstration. She expressed her disbelief as she wrote, “Wah, now it’s Mumbai police?”
She reshared another story which read, “43 years old. 40 of those years in India. Studied here, worked here, succeeded here, failed here, loved here and fought here.”
Kiran Rao is the ex-wife of Aamir Khan, while Imran is his nephew.
Imran Khan receives deportation notice
On October 15, the FRRO and Mumbai Police issued a notice to Imran Khan directing him to leave India by October 28. The notice cited alleged violations of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025. A Mumbai Police official said, “The FRRO has taken the action, and a notice was served to the actor Imran Khan, who is [in India] on an OCI card. The actor, nephew of Bollywood star Amir Khan, stays in Khar and was served the notice.”
The action came after Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Kirit Somaiya filed a complaint against the actor alleging that he had participated in the CJP’s protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar despite not being an Indian citizen. He noted that Imran held a US passport and an OCI card.
For the unversed, Imran was seen participating in the protest at August Kranti Maidan in Mumbai Central on October 10, wherein he was detained by Mumbai Police.
Following the developments, Imran Khan is set to challenge FRRO notice. His lawyer, Zulfikar Memon confirmed that the actor intends to challenge the notice in the Bombay High Court. The petition is expected to be filed by Friday, October 16, or Monday, October 19. The actor’s legal team has reportedly described the order as “drastic”, arguing that no provision of the law restricts an OCI cardholder from participating in protests.
