Imran Khan has been away from films for years, but on Saturday, October 10, 2026, he was suddenly one of the most talked-about actors in the country. The Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na star, his partner Lekha Washington and his cousin Zayn Marie were detained by Mumbai Police outside August Kranti Maidan after taking part in a protest, and released a few hours later, The Indian Express reported.
What happened at August Kranti Maidan
According to The Indian Express, the three were among many people who gathered for demonstrations organised by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), which are demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. The protests followed an Indian Express investigation into the revision.
Videos and pictures that surfaced around 4 PM showed Imran, Lekha and Zayn being dragged into a police van and taken to an undisclosed location, the paper reported. Mumbai Police said no permission had been sought for the protest. CJP workers argued that they had emailed the police seeking permission but had not received a reply.
The crackdown was not limited to Mumbai. The Indian Express reported that more than 4,000 protesters were detained across Delhi, mainly around Jantar Mantar, and that several CJP leaders and opposition politicians were detained before they could reach the protest site.
Inside the police van
Zayn posted a running account on her Instagram Stories, according to The Indian Express. She reposted a video of the three being pulled into the van and was seen raising slogans from inside it. In another Story, she said officials at the Yellow Gate police station had no answer when asked why they were being held. "He just says, 'Two minutes,' and then goes on the phone for hours," she said of one officer.
Imran was heard in videos shared by other protesters saying the three were driven around for at least a couple of hours without being told why. In one clip, when he and Zayn asked a group of officers why they had been detained, the officers walked away, and Imran said goodbye with a "Jai Hind!"
The Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na callback
Even in a police van, the family found time for a film joke. The Indian Express reported that Zayn asked Imran whether he had ever ridden a horse, gone to jail and beaten someone up, a reference to the three conditions his character Jai Rathore has to meet to be a true "Ranjore ka Rathore" in his 2008 debut. Imran replied that he had ridden a horse but never hit anyone, and was not sure about jail: "Ho sakta hai (it's possible)."
He also posted a photo of himself inside the van with the caption, "Apparently I'm going for a drive." Zayn reposted a fan meme pairing the image with his song "Dhatt Teri Ki Main Ghar Nahi Jana" from Gori Tere Pyaar Mein.
Released, and home
Lekha confirmed on Saturday night that they were safe after being released, sharing a reel and later an Instagram Story of the three in a group hug at home, The Indian Express reported. In an earlier reel, she said that even after their release they were not being allowed to take a cab home because police continued to threaten the drivers. Mumbai Police's account of the evening, as reported, is limited to its position that permission for the protest had not been sought.
For fans who still associate Imran with the boy-next-door roles of Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na, Delhi Belly and I Hate Luv Storys, it was an unusual way to see him trend again, and he appeared to take it with the same humour.
FAQ
Why was Imran Khan detained?
He was detained by Mumbai Police on October 10, 2026, outside August Kranti Maidan after taking part in a Cockroach Janata Party protest. Police said no permission had been sought for the protest, according to The Indian Express.
Who was detained with Imran Khan?
His partner, actor Lekha Washington, and his cousin Zayn Marie.
Was Imran Khan released?
Yes. The three were released within hours, and Lekha Washington posted that they were safe at home.
What was the protest about?
Protesters were demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the revision of electoral rolls.
Cover photo: Bollywood Hungama / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0