Salman Khan's old TMKOC cameo convincing Tapu Sena to end their hunger strike resurfaces after his viral 'it's done, bro' post for Sonam Wangchuk

The Cockroach Janata Party-led students' protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi over the NEET paper leak has been a marvellous display of Gen Z humour. And when Bollywood superstar Salman Khan shared what the internet is calling a 'bhai-coded' note for activist Sonam Wangchuk amid a flood of AI-generated celebrity messages, the 'most unhinged generation' found yet another meme opportunity.


In his July 23 post, one particular line was added to "Bhai ke dohe," as many revisited his iconic old tweets. Urging Wangchuk to end his hunger strike, Salman, 60, wrote, "Sonam, it's done, bro. Don't extend this. Keep the spirit for another day if there is a need, which I doubt, and eat something. If you want, I will send you food from home." Just hours later, Wangchuk ended his 26-day-long fast in the presence of BJP leaders J.P. Nadda and Jitendra Singh. So, on expected lines, social media users jokingly credited Salman for making it happen.

But the internet loves a nostalgic callback. Soon after Wangchuk, 59, ended his fast, X users resurfaced an old Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah episode in which Khan made a cameo to promote Ready and convinced Tapu Sena to call off their own hunger strike. The parallel instantly went viral. Many even joked that the long-running sitcom is the "Indian version of The Simpsons" for its uncanny ability to mirror real-life events years later.


Salman Khan first voiced support for the students protesting the alleged NEET paper leak on July 22, calling it "such a peaceful movement" and expressing sadness that it had turned violent. Sharing a childhood photo, he wrote, "My heart goes out to the students and their families who were hurt. Paper leak is a very serious issue, and I am glad to know n see that the kids of our country have come together for a better educational system, and their parents supported them."

A day later, after Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured strict action against those responsible for the paper leak, Salman struck a more conciliatory tone. In a lengthy post, he urged protesting students to return home, writing, "The students are at top priority, educationally n security-wise... The Honorable Prime Minister has tweeted, and I am sure that he will take strict action against all those people who are responsible for this leak. So students, plz go back to your parents n homes." He also made a direct appeal to Sonam Wangchuk, saying, "Sonam, it's done, bro. Don't extend this. Keep the spirit for another day if there is a need, which I doubt, n eat something. If u want, I will send u food from home."

Back in Episodes 615–620, Tapu Sena, the kids' group in TMKOC, launched a hunger strike after their parents refused to buy them a new cricket kit. When the entire Gokuldham Society failed to convince them, Salman Khan stepped in during Episodes 621–622 while promoting Ready. After spotting the protest on TV, Bhai arrived in his Being Human T-shirt at Gokuldham, gave Tapu Sena a pep talk, and finally convinced them to end their fast.


Now, after Sonam Wangchuk called off his hunger strike shortly after Salman's viral post, fans are joking that life has imitated TMKOC once again, with many calling the sitcom the "Indian version of The Simpsons" for predicting yet another real-life moment.

One user called out another parallel, writing, "Funny how it was also organised by students (from bhide coaching classes)." Another added, "Goated show. End of discussion. Simpsons who?"

Meanwhile, the Tubelight actor's new post has now become a fresh template for Gen Zs, and they're using it in their own way to amplify their voices.