Filmmaker Abhinay Deo is coming to the defense of his ‘Delhi Belly’ star Imran Khan following reports that the actor has been issued a ‘Leave India’ notice by the Mumbai Police. The notice, which directs Khan to depart the country by October 28, comes in the wake of his recent detention during a protest. Authorities have reportedly initiated action under Sections 29 and 7 of the Immigration Act, alleging that Khan participated in the demonstration despite holding an American passport.
Speaking on the ongoing situation, Deo urged the public to respect the actor’s personal choices and autonomy. “We should let people have their opinions, their decisions, and we should respect them for what they are worth,” the director stated. While steering clear of the legal intricacies surrounding the case, Deo praised the actor’s character based on their time working together on the 2011 cult comedy. He described the actor as an “incredible person, a very, very nice human being, and a fantastically passionate and sensitive man.”
Deo maintained that his assessment of Khan is rooted purely in his professional experiences and insisted that commenting further would be an intrusion into the actor’s private space. Meanwhile, the legal battle is just beginning for the star. Khan’s legal team has confirmed that they intend to challenge the ‘Leave India’ notice in the Bombay High Court, with an appeal expected to be filed early next week. The actor, who was captured in a viral social media post joking that he was “going for a drive” while in a police van, previously questioned the restrictions placed on his freedom of movement. As the legal drama unfolds, Abhinay Deo is gearing up for the theatrical release of his upcoming film ‘Doosra’ on October 23.