Amid the recent nationwide protests over the NEET paper leak and Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation, actress Manushi Chhillar recalled the emotional toll of retaking the 2015 medical entrance exam after its paper leak. She opened up about the experience during a podcast with Soha Ali Khan.
Manushi said, "There are two aspects to this, one is my personal experience, and the other is understanding the reality that most students in the country face. I had parents who had gone through the same journey years ago, so I was mentally prepared for the process."
"But it was still incredibly difficult because I had to sacrifice everything that brought me joy. I was a Kuchipudi dancer, I loved painting, and I had to put all of that aside for a year to focus entirely on my entrance exam," she further added.
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Manushi said, "When you’re told that after months of preparation you have to continue for another 45 days, you wonder how much more you have left to give. But I also recognise that I had immense privilege and support."
"One thing my parents insisted on was an hour of exercise every day, no matter what. Whether it was basketball or going to the gym, it gave me an outlet, helped me stay connected to people outside the exam bubble, and protected my mental health. Many of my peers didn’t have that luxury," she said.
NEET Paper Leak Sparked Nationwide Protests
The NEET exam, cancelled after the paper leak, sparked nationwide protests and forced Dharmendra Pradhan to resign as Union Education Minister. The CBI, which has completed a major part of the investigation in 77 days, filed its chargesheet on Tuesday before a fast-track court in Delhi.