The tension in Iran following the death of Mahsa Amini, 22, allegedly at the hands of Iran’s morality police, has unleashed a wave of mass protests across the country. Actor Sajjad Delafrooz, who was in Iran until now, says he somehow managed to get out of there, and adds that protests have intensified now.

“I could see how kids as young as 14 or even 15 have been brainwashed because of poverty and given batons to attack people. The situation on ground is terrifying. Guards twice their size are standing in front of women who are empty-handed. That’s what inspires people from my generation to be brave,” says the 38-year-old, who shot to fame after playing the antagonist in Tiger Zinda Hai (2017). 

The actor adds that people believe this movement is “anti-religion”, which, according to him, is not correct. He says the slogan used by the protesters is “women, life, freedom”. “It’s always the women in Iran who have been under pressure to follow and obey rules that benefit men,” says Delafrooz.

The actor’s nephews and niece live in Iran as well. But because of the system right now, they are struggling to lead a normal life.

Has he been getting messages from people supporting him as he navigates through the difficult times? “I got many supportive messages, but on the other hand, there are people who attack me as well. There are many who support the government’s propaganda, and then there are people who have read history and watch the news; they know what’s [been] happening to women in this country for the last four decades,” he says, adding, “To those who are saying they don’t owe anything to this country: you may not, but you definitely owe it to these women who are fighting for freedom to make this world better.”