In moments of national crisis, India’s unity is often tested—and in that process, those harboring divisive or hostile sentiments are inevitably exposed. One such recent example is actress Mandana Karimi, who hails from Iran but built her career in India’s entertainment industry, featuring in projects like Anil Kapoor’s Thar. Having found in India the professional freedom denied under Iran’s conservative regime, Karimi was once appreciated by Indian audiences. That goodwill, however, appears to have been misplaced.
Following India’s pre-dawn retaliatory strike targeting terror camps in Pakistan, Karimi took to Instagram Stories to express outrage not against terrorism, but against India. In a now-deleted post, captured and circulated by social media users, she accused India of bombing “Pakistani Kashmir” and “murdering civilians and children.” She grouped India with the U.S. and Israel, writing, “The world is on fire… All of these deaths are a direct response from genocidal powers… Whether it’s Zionism, Hindutva fascism, or American exceptionalism, imperialism continues to rage on.”
Her full post read, “The world is on fire. India bombing Pakistani Kashmir murdering civilians and children moments ago. Israel murdered a family in Khan Yunis just moments ago. America bombed Yemen murdering civilians just yesterday. All of these deaths are a direct response from genocidal powers that learned from each other that you can carry out war crimes with impunity while the world swallows its tongue. Whether it’s Zionism, Hindutva fascism or American exceptionalism, imperalism continues to rage on and burn all in its path.”
These comments stood in stark contrast to India’s official position and evidence, which clearly stated that the operation targeted only terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The situation took a more damning turn when Masood Azhar—an internationally recognized terrorist—confirmed that members of his own family were killed in the Indian strike, reinforcing that it was indeed a counter-terror operation, not an attack on civilians.
Mandana Karimi chose India for her modelling and acting career. Because it's not possible in her home country, Iran. She got full support from Indians when she raised her voice against the Iranian regime's atrocities.
And this is how she paid back by calling India's retaliation… pic.twitter.com/hZA84L7HuX
— The Hawk Eye (@thehawkeyex) May 7, 2025
Amidst this, Karimi’s comments have sparked widespread backlash. Many netizens have called for her deportation, labelling her views anti-India. “Get out of India!” one user wrote. Another demanded, “Her visa should be revoked. We don’t need such people maligning our country from within.”
Posts Clarification Following Backlash, Deletes It
Amid mounting criticism on social media, Karimi returned to Instagram to issue a clarifying note. Responding to the backlash she received for her previous comments—or lack thereof—on a sensitive issue, Karimi defended her stance, insisting that her message had been misinterpreted.
In her post, Karimi stated that her original intent was a “call for peace” rather than any form of political statement or condemnation.
“Let me say this loud and clear: I’ve lived in India for 16 years. I’ve worked hard, adapted, contributed, and made this place my home—with love, effort, and respect. And yes, I’ve had the most incredible friends and people here who made me feel like I belong. But then there’s the other side—the small-minded, toxic corner that will always see me as an outsider, no matter what I do. Here’s the thing: I’ve always been open, vocal, and woke. But if I choose not to speak about something, not to post about something—that’s also my right. It’s a human right. You don’t get to tell me when to speak, what to say, or how to feel. That’s not how it works.”
She further reiterated her respect and admiration for India, emphasizing the bond she has developed with the country over the years.
“And now, let’s talk facts. I’m proud of India. I’m proud of how far this country has come. I have deep respect for the Indian government—for what it’s done to protect its borders, grow its economy, and stand tall on the global stage. This country has given me space, purpose, and pride. And instead of standing together in that spirit, some people just want to tear down, hate, and harass.”
Despite her efforts to clarify her position, the follow-up post has since been removed from her Instagram feed.
Operation Sindoor
India’s ‘Operation Sindoor’, launched after the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people, saw the military targeting nine identified terror bases across PoK. It was a precise, tri-services retaliation involving the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Pakistan, unprepared for such a swift and coordinated response, scrambled jets in a dogfight that became one of the most prolonged air confrontations between the two nations. Despite Islamabad’s claims of downing five Indian jets, New Delhi has not responded, choosing instead to focus on facts and outcomes.
Interestingly, Karimi’s home country, Iran, had earlier expressed willingness to mediate peace between India and Pakistan—yet its own citizen, benefiting from India’s freedoms, chose to defame the very nation that gave her a platform.
While many celebrities have lauded the Indian Armed Forces and shown solidarity with the nation’s stand against terror, Karimi’s outburst stands as a glaring exception—one that many believe reveals where her true loyalties lie.
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