Bollywood actress Yami Gautam issued a firm clarification after a viral Reddit post accused her of “liking” a social media reel that questioned Kriti Sanon’s Best Actress win at the Zee Cine Awards 2026.
The controversy erupted following the awards ceremony on March 1, where Kriti was honored for her role in Tere Ishk Mein. Many fans argued that Yami (for Haq) or Kangana Ranaut (for Emergency) were more deserving, leading to a heated online debate.
Yami’s Official Stance
In a detailed Instagram story, the Haq actress dismissed the “like” as a complete accident:
- The “Accidental Click”: Yami explained that she is tagged in hundreds of posts daily and must have accidentally hit the like button while scrolling through her mentions. “It isn’t true and was definitely not done consciously,” she clarified.
- No PR Tactics: She took the opportunity to distance herself from typical industry rivalries, stating she has no PR team and has never resorted to “cheap PR tactics” or “coffee-table gossip.”
- Award Show Stance: Yami reminded fans that she has long been vocal about her skepticism regarding the credibility of mainstream entertainment award shows, preferring to stay focused solely on her craft.
The Controversy Context
- The Award: Kriti Sanon won the Best Actress trophy at the Zee Cine Awards 2026 held in Mumbai.
- Fan Backlash: Netizens felt Yami’s performance in the political thriller Haq was the standout of the year, leading to a “Yami vs. Kriti” narrative on platforms like X and Reddit.
- Kriti’s Response: As of March 6, Kriti Sanon has maintained a dignified silence and has not commented on the social media friction.