Bollywood stands united in support of Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat following her disqualification from Women’s Wrestling 50kg Class at the Paris Olympics this year.

Celebrities like Alia Bhatt, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Taapsee Pannu have come out in support of the ace grappler who was disqualified for being overweight by 100 gm on Wednesday. Earlier, on Tuesday night, Vinesh had reached the final of her event by defeating Japan’s Yui Susaki.

“Vinesh Phogat you are an inspiration to the entire nation. Nothing can take away your resilience, nothing can take away your courage & nothing can take away the hardships you've been through to create history,” Alia wrote on her Instagram story.

Calling Vinesh “a champion for the ages”, the Heart of Stone actress also said, “Today you must be heartbroken to say the least and we are heartbroken with you. But woman you are gold - you are iron and you are steel! And nothing can take that away from you! A champion for the ages! There is no one like you.”

For Preity Zinta, the wrestler is a “champion of champions & a hero to all the women of India”. The actress, who is next going to be seen in Lahore 1947 alongside Sunny Deol, wrote, “Dear @vineshphogat You are pure gold to every Indian rooting for you. A champion of champions & a hero to all the women of India. I’m so sorry for how things turned out for you. Chin up & be strong. Life is not always fair. Tough times don’t last but tough people do. Wish I could give you a tight hug right now & tell you that we are so proud of you. Come back stronger & more power to you.”

Samantha Ruth Prabhu also rooted for Vinesh on social media. “At times, the most resilient individuals encounter the toughest obstacles. Remember that you are not alone, a higher power is watching over you. Your remarkable ability to persist in the midst of difficulties is truly admirable. We will always stand by you through all your highs and lows,” wrote the actress, who will next star in Citadel: Honey Bunny alongside Varun Dhawan.

Taapsee, who has been cheering her husband badminton coach Matthias Boe at the Paris Olympics, said that Vinesh has “already made her mark beyond gold by now” despite the heartbreaking disqualification ahead of the final.

“Vinesh Phogat has been disqualified from the Women's Wrestling 50kg of the Olympics 2024 for being overweight. This is heartbreaking but honestly this woman has already made her mark beyond gold by now,” the Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba actress wrote.

Kareena hailed Vinesh as a “living legend” in her Instagram story. “Vinesh Phogat, Living Legend, Paris Olympics 2024,” she wrote on her Instagram story.

Farhan Akhtar, too, extended his support to Vinesh, lauding her as a “champion and an inspiration to millions”. In an Instagram post, he wrote, “Dear @vineshphogat .. One can only try and imagine how devastated you must be but still not fully understand. Heartbroken for you that the quest ended like this. But please know that we are all very proud of you and all you have done for the sport. You will always be a champion and an inspiration to millions. Keep your chin up.”