Huma Qureshi Swarrnim University Visit Draws Huge Student Crowd
Bollywood Stars Interacted with Students During the Gandhinagar Campus Event.
Bollywood actors Huma Qureshi and Saqib Saleem spent time with students at Swarrnim Startup and Innovation University in Gandhinagar on 29 June, turning an ordinary day on campus into a lively gathering that mixed cinema, conversation and student participation.
The actors visited the university as part of promotional activities for their forthcoming Hindi film Baby Do Die Do, which is scheduled for release in cinemas on 3 July. During the visit, the pair took part in an interactive session with students, speaking about their work in the film industry and discussing the challenges of building careers in a competitive field.
Students gathered in large numbers to meet the actors, ask questions and hear stories from their professional journeys. The discussion covered themes familiar to many young people preparing to enter working life, including persistence, self-belief and dealing with setbacks while pursuing career goals.
Huma Qureshi, known for performances in films such as Gangs of Wasseypur, Badlapur and Maharani, has built a career by taking on varied roles across cinema and streaming platforms. Saqib Saleem, who began his acting career with Mujhse Fraaandship Karoge and later appeared in projects including 83 and Crackdown, has expanded his work into film production in recent years.
Their latest project, Baby Do Die Do, has attracted attention for its unusual storyline and visual style. The film features Huma Qureshi in the role of a deaf and mute contract killer and marks another collaboration between the siblings, who have launched projects under their production banner, Saleem Siblings. Directed by Nachiket Samant, the film is positioned as a dark action comedy with thriller elements and is among several Hindi releases arriving during the busy mid-year cinema season.
The actors used the Gandhinagar visit to encourage students to watch the film in theatres after its release. Promotional visits to colleges and universities have become a regular part of film campaigns in India, especially for productions aimed at younger audiences. Such events allow actors to connect directly with students while also allowing campuses to host public figures from the entertainment industry.
One of the most popular moments during the programme came when Huma Qureshi and Saqib Saleem joined students for an impromptu dance session. Videos and photographs from the event captured students and guests sharing the stage in a relaxed setting that reflected the growing role of cultural activities in university life.
According to organisers, the visitors praised the enthusiasm and confidence shown by students during the interaction. Campus events involving artists, entrepreneurs, sportspersons and public figures are increasingly being used by universities to expose students to experiences beyond traditional classroom learning.
Swarrnim Startup and Innovation University, located near Gandhinagar, was established under the Gujarat Private University framework in 2017 and presents itself as a university focused on entrepreneurship and startup culture. The institution offers programmes across engineering, management, design, health sciences and other disciplines, while emphasising innovation and business creation alongside academic study.
Universities across Gujarat and other parts of India have expanded such engagement activities over the past decade as institutions compete to create more active campus environments and improve student participation. Guest lectures, industry interactions, cultural festivals and meetings with public personalities are increasingly seen as part of the wider university experience.
Education experts have frequently argued that exposure to professionals from different sectors can help students understand changing career paths and emerging opportunities. For students interested in media, entertainment and creative industries, interactions with actors, filmmakers and producers can offer insight into professions that are often viewed from a distance through screens and social media.
The visit also came at a time when the relationship between higher education institutions and the entertainment industry continues to grow. Film promotions on university campuses have become common in cities such as Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru, where student audiences play an important role in generating early interest in new releases.
For many students at Swarrnim Startup and Innovation University, the event provided an opportunity to meet recognised figures from Hindi cinema without leaving the campus. For the university, it added another public event to a calendar that increasingly includes industry engagement and cultural activities alongside academic programmes.
As the interaction concluded, students left with photographs, memories and conversations that extended beyond film promotion. While the visit centred on the upcoming release of Baby Do Die Do, it also reflected a wider trend in Indian higher education, where learning spaces are gradually becoming places for dialogue with people from business, technology, sports, public service and the arts.
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