Artists4Ceasefire: Bridgerton Star Charithra Chandran Calls for Gaza Ceasefire on Oscars Red Carpet

British-Indian actress Charithra Chandran used the 98th Academy Awards red carpet on March 15, 2026, to call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, joining several other celebrities who wore Artists4Ceasefire pins to make political statements at Hollywood’s biggest night.

Chandran wore an Artists4Ceasefire pin, urging a Gaza ceasefire and sustained public attention on civilian suffering. “No to war and free Palestine,” the presenter said, drawing attention to ongoing violence and calls for a permanent ceasefire. 

Chandran explained to The Hollywood Reporter her choice in wearing it at the Oscars, saying, “What we are demanding is a ceasefire in Gaza, I think that I am so blessed to have a platform and this is the least I could do to use it.” She added, “Sometimes the news cycle is so fast and people move on but the people in Gaza and the West Bank are still suffering.” 

Chandran told USA Today, “The idea of children and people dying is not something that I can accept or tolerate. And I have been blessed with a platform and I want to be able to use it in any way that I can to advocate for a better world.”

The Artists4Ceasefire Movement

According to The Tab, the red pins are linked to Artists4Ceasefire, a collective of actors, filmmakers and musicians who are calling for a permanent ceasefire in the Israel–Palestine conflict, the release of hostages, and more humanitarian aid for civilians. The design features a white dove, which is widely seen as a symbol of peace. 

According to Fox News Digital, the team behind “The Voice of Hind Rajab” spoke to Variety on the Oscars red carpet, sharing that the pin demands ceasefire in “Palestine, Lebanon, Iran, Venezuela.” The group members said the attacks were happening on U.S. soil as well and mentioned ICE. 

Other Celebrities Wearing the Pin

According to The National, Spanish actor Javier Bardem drew attention with a pin reading “No a la guerra” – Spanish for “no to war” – which he previously wore in 2003 during protests against the Iraq war. He also displayed a Handala pin on the carpet, a symbol originally created by cartoonist Naji al-Ali that has come to represent the Palestinian people. 

According to The Mirror, Bardem told The Hollywood Reporter on the red carpet: “We are here 23 years later with another illegal war, created by Trump and Netanyahu, with another lie to defeat the regime. They’re radicalizing the regime by their horrific actions — that is not the reason.” 

Actors Saja Kilani and Amer Hlehel also wore the pin. They star in the Oscar-nominated film The Voice of Hind Rajab. It tells the real story of a six-year-old Palestinian girl who died in Gaza after becoming trapped in a car following an attack. 

Controversy and Criticism

Charithra was born in Perth, Scotland, the daughter of Tamil medical professionals. Her parents separated when she was two, and she left for India with her father where she stayed with her grandparents in Tamil Nadu. 

The Daily Caller criticized Chandran’s statement, noting timing issues. According to The Daily Caller, Chandran is being roasted for demanding political change before getting her facts straight. The actress made an impassioned plea for a ceasefire in Gaza — seemingly completely unaware that she was asking for something that has already been officially declared for nearly half a year. 

The Daily Caller reported that social media users criticized the actress, with one writing: “With no one telling them what to say, they are like a rudderless ship. Just flopping around in a very large sea.” 

Charithra Chandran’s Background

Charithra was born in Perth, Scotland, the daughter of Tamil medical professionals. Her parents separated when she was two, and she left for India with her father where she stayed with her grandparents in Tamil Nadu. 

According to IMDb, Charithra Chandran is a British Indian Actor based in London, UK. Charithra has been performing from a young age, starting out in productions of touring West End musicals. Whilst attending Oxford University, she participated in many theatre and film productions where her interest in acting further developed. 

Career Highlights

Chandran’s breakout role came in 2022 when she played Edwina Sharma in the second season of Netflix’s hit period drama “Bridgerton.”

Chandran has now been cast as Miss Wednesday in Netflix’s One Piece Season 2, a move that marks an exciting new phase in her career. Her other significant work includes appearances in Alex Rider, Star Wars: Visions, and How to Date Billy Walsh. 

Advocacy and Social Responsibility

According to Deadline, Chandran has spoken out against an entertainment industry mentality that she feels pits people of color against each other. Chandran said she has “never pictured myself as a role model” but “a lot of young girls follow me on social media, so I do feel a sense of responsibility.” 

According to IndieWire, Chandran understands that taking on more leadership roles will be key to avoiding the pitfalls many women of color in entertainment face. “I think that is the burden of representation, right? It’s so scarce that you’re expected to represent everybody in your community as opposed to just being an individual,” she said. 

In June 2023, she was appointed as a global ambassador for Room to Read, a nonprofit organization focused on literacy and gender equality in education, where she advocates for girls’ access to learning and has voiced the lead character in the organization’s animated film series She Creates Change.