Bollywood actress Yami Gautam clarified that liking an Instagram reel criticising Kriti Sanon’s award was accidental, responding to backlash and denying claims of publicity tactics.
A social media controversy recently emerged involving Bollywood actresses Yami Gautam and Kriti Sanon after a reel circulating on Instagram sparked speculation among fans. The issue began when Yami Gautam appeared to like a video that questioned Kriti Sanon’s Best Actress award win, leading to widespread discussion across social media platforms. As the clip gained traction online, many users interpreted the interaction as indirect criticism, triggering backlash against Yami.
Soon after the matter started trending online, Yami Gautam addressed the controversy publicly and clarified that the action was unintentional. According to the actress, the reel was accidentally liked while browsing through multiple tagged posts, and she had no intention of disrespecting another actor. The clarification came after several users on social media accused her of supporting criticism directed at Kriti Sanon.
The incident quickly became a talking point among Bollywood followers and entertainment commentators, highlighting how even minor social media interactions by celebrities can spark large-scale debates online. To address the growing speculation, Yami issued a detailed explanation through her social media account, emphasizing that she did not intend to demean or undermine any fellow actor.
Yami Gautam responds to controversy and denies intentional criticism
After the issue escalated across social media, Yami Gautam took to the platform X to explain what had happened and to clear any misunderstanding regarding the reel. In her statement, she said that she only later realised that she had liked a video which appeared disrespectful toward another actor.
According to Yami, celebrities are tagged in numerous posts and reels every day, making it easy for interactions to happen unintentionally while scrolling through content. She explained that the reel in question appeared among several tagged posts, and the like may have occurred by mistake while navigating through the platform.
Her statement emphasized that the action did not reflect her views toward Kriti Sanon or any other actor. Yami reiterated that she respects her peers in the film industry and would never deliberately engage with content that belittles someone’s achievements.
In addition to her message on X, Yami also shared a clarification through an Instagram story, attempting to address the controversy on the platform where the incident initially occurred. The actress wrote that the like was unintentional and urged people not to interpret it as criticism or hostility toward another performer.
Yami Gautam also responded to speculation suggesting that the incident might have been a publicity stunt or a deliberate move to attract attention. She strongly rejected such claims and stated that she has always maintained a professional approach to her work.
The actress added that she has never relied on controversial publicity strategies to remain in the spotlight. According to her, her career has been built primarily on her acting work rather than on promotional tactics or online gossip.
She also mentioned that she does not maintain a dedicated public relations team that orchestrates media narratives. Yami stressed that in the current digital environment, where clickbait content spreads quickly, misunderstandings can easily escalate into controversies.
Her statement reflected frustration over how quickly social media speculation can grow without context. At the same time, the actress attempted to reassure fans and industry colleagues that her intentions were not negative.
Viral reel and award debate triggered online discussion
The controversy initially began after Kriti Sanon received the Best Actress award at the Zee Cine Awards for her performance in the film Tere Ishq Mein. The recognition generated widespread attention, with many fans celebrating her achievement and sharing clips from the event on social media platforms.
Around the same time, Yami Gautam had received praise for her role as Shazia Bano in the film Haq. Despite the strong reception for her performance, she did not win any awards at the ceremony, which led to discussions among fans comparing performances from different films.
Amid this environment, a reel began circulating online that juxtaposed two different visuals. On one side of the video, Kriti Sanon was shown celebrating her Best Actress award. On the other side, an earlier interview clip of Yami Gautam was included, where she discussed her thoughts on awards and validation.
The editing of the reel created an implied comparison between the two actresses, indirectly questioning whether Kriti deserved the award. The video quickly gained traction online, generating comments and reactions from viewers who debated the fairness of award selections.
When Yami Gautam’s account appeared to like the reel, it intensified the conversation. Some users interpreted the like as an endorsement of the criticism aimed at Kriti Sanon, while others argued that it could simply be a mistake.
In the interview segment featured in the reel, Yami Gautam had previously shared her personal perspective on awards and professional recognition. In that conversation, she explained that actors often try their best in their work, yet outcomes such as awards are not always predictable.
She expressed that over time she had stopped seeking validation through awards alone, focusing instead on the quality of her work and the roles she chooses. According to Yami, receiving an award does not solely determine whether someone is a talented actor.
Her comments in the interview reflected a broader viewpoint shared by many performers in the industry, where recognition can depend on several factors beyond performance alone. However, when those remarks were edited alongside footage of Kriti Sanon’s award celebration, the context appeared to suggest a competitive narrative.
The viral reel therefore created a perception of rivalry between the two actresses, even though neither had publicly criticised the other. Social media users frequently interpreted the clip as part of a debate about award credibility and industry recognition.
Such incidents illustrate how digital platforms can amplify minor interactions and transform them into larger controversies. A single action, such as liking a post, can quickly attract widespread attention and lead to assumptions about an individual’s intentions.
For celebrities, whose social media accounts are constantly monitored by fans and media outlets, even small gestures can become subjects of public discussion. The Yami Gautam and Kriti Sanon episode highlights the sensitivity surrounding awards and recognition in the entertainment industry.
It also demonstrates how quickly narratives can form online when visual content is edited in a way that suggests comparisons or rivalries. In many cases, these narratives spread faster than clarifications from the individuals involved.
Despite the controversy, both actresses remain active in their respective film projects and continue to enjoy strong fan support. While online discussions surrounding the reel generated temporary attention, Yami Gautam’s clarification attempted to end speculation and restore context to the situation.
