Ahilya Says She Isn’t Afraid to Speak Up on Student Protests and Auroville: ‘There’s Fear for Actors to Lose Work’

Actor Ahilya has opened up about why she continues to speak publicly on issues that matter to her, including student protests and developments in Auroville.

In a candid discussion, Ahilya said her approach to public issues comes from the way she was raised and her belief in putting humanitarian concerns ahead of professional considerations. She also acknowledged that other actors may hesitate to speak about sensitive subjects because of concerns about how their views could affect their careers.

Ahilya says humanitarian values guide her

When student protests erupted over alleged irregularities surrounding NEET and demands were raised for accountability, Ahilya was among the actors who publicly supported the students.

Explaining why she was willing to take a position, she said her upbringing had taught her to think of herself as a humanitarian first.

“I think how I’ve been raised is that I’m a humanitarian first. I care about the people; I care about the welfare of my country’s citizens. I care about the youth of this country,” Ahilya said.

She added that these values make her comfortable speaking openly about subjects that she believes deserve attention.

Her comments reflect a willingness to separate her public voice from the expectations that can surround actors in the entertainment industry.

‘There’s fear’ of losing work, Ahilya says

Ahilya also acknowledged why some people in the film industry may choose to remain silent on politically or socially sensitive issues.

“There’s fear, I suppose, for people to lose work,” she said, pointing to the way different issues can become connected with wider divisions.

According to the actor, expressing an opinion on a contentious subject can carry professional as well as social consequences.

“Speaking up about something sensitive is scary for a lot of people,” she said.

For Ahilya, however, confidence in her intentions has made it easier to accept that risk.

“But for me, I know my intentions are right, so I’m not afraid,” she added.

Her comments highlight a broader tension frequently faced by public figures: whether to use their visibility to discuss issues they care about or remain cautious because of possible professional repercussions.

Ahilya reflects on Auroville’s Youth Centre

The actor also spoke emotionally about the Auroville Youth Centre and the changes taking place within the community.

The Youth Centre was officially shut earlier this year following a prolonged dispute involving residents and the Auroville Foundation.

Ahilya described the situation as part of a larger conversation about how communities balance development with conservation.

“There’s also the age-old conversation of development versus conservation. I think Auroville has become another example of that struggle,” she said.

Her comments focused not only on the institutional dispute but also on what the space represented to young people who spent time there.

‘I’m very sad that the youth centre has shut’

Ahilya said she has personal memories of spending time at the Youth Centre and emphasized its role as a place where young people could gather, create and socialize.

“I’m very sad that the youth centre has shut,” she said.

She recalled activities including music nights and pizza nights, describing the centre as a space where young people could come together freely and creatively.

For Ahilya, that kind of shared space has significance beyond recreation.

She argued that spaces where young people can interact openly are important to the social fabric of a community, particularly in a place such as Auroville, where community living is central to its identity.

Ahilya hopes the spirit can return

While expressing sadness over the closure, Ahilya said she hopes the values associated with the Youth Centre can eventually find a new home.

“I hope the spirit will not die and we will be able to revive it in a new space in the future,” she said.

Her comments connect her concerns about student issues and Auroville through a common theme: the importance of giving young people space to participate, express themselves and shape their communities.

For Ahilya, speaking about such subjects is part of being engaged with the society around her rather than simply being a public figure.