More than 400 Palestinians were killed in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza on March 18, during a ceasefire agreement, sparking widespread condemnation from prominent figures, including Bollywood celebrities.

Actress Swara Bhasker, known for her outspoken views, strongly condemned the airstrikes, labeling Israel a “terrorist.” In a post on her official X account, Bhasker wrote with the hashtag #FreePalestine: “We live in a world where the slaughter of 400 children in a single day is apparently acceptable just because they are Palestinians. This an utterly despicable act of terrorism. I will SAY IT AGAIN AND AGAIN... Israel is the terrorist.” Actress Kalki Koechlin also expressed her deep sorrow in an emotional Instagram post, criticising the ongoing brutality in Gaza. "My heart breaks," she wrote, alongside a heartbreaking emoji. "The Israeli government chooses war over the ceasefire. Over political solutions. Over peace. The death of hundreds more Palestinians, the genocide of a people. The hostages’ families are left hanging."

Koechlin continued, “Hamas cynically will celebrate each death of an Israeli. Life snatched away from ordinary people who live in the region. A cycle of death chants on social media. While parents who have lost children on both sides band together and stand on the streets in protest, they know there is another way. Their shattered hearts beat consistently and tirelessly and I can hear them above all the other noise”