Filmmaker Vidhu Vinod Chopra, fresh off his 12th Fail National Award win, launched a sharp, expletive-laden attack on social media influencers at IFFI, calling them out for gaining millions of followers through superficial content—a rant that has been fiercely countered by content creators citing the industry’s own follower demands.
November 26, 2025: Veteran filmmaker and producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra has ignited a major online debate after delivering a scathing critique of the social media ecosystem and the rise of influencers during a masterclass at the 54th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa.
Chopra, who recently earned critical acclaim and a National Award for his film 12th Fail, lamented the current culture of instant fame, arguing that superficiality has overtaken genuine artistic pursuit.
Chopra’s Unfiltered Critique
During his session, Chopra took a sharp, unfiltered dig at the surge of social media celebrity, questioning how simply presenting oneself in a certain way online can instantly generate millions of followers.
“What word can I use? These are a*****. They go on the Internet, and stand in a certain way. Someone has 5 million followers, someone has 10 million, another has 20 million,”** Chopra stated, expressing his frustration.
He further criticized the advertising industry for pandering to this trend: “The social media influencer thinks that he is a legend. And then brands go to that fellow and say, ‘Please sell our product’… You as an individual have to choose whether you want to be that or you want to really strive for happiness and joy.”
Influencers Hit Back at Bollywood Hypocrisy
Chopra’s remarks immediately divided the internet, with many applauding his candidness, including actor Aahana Kumra who reacted with “clapping emojis.”
However, a strong backlash emerged from content creators who argued that the film industry itself fuels the obsession with follower counts:
- Casting Pressure: Several creators pointed out the hypocrisy, stating that Bollywood casting directors frequently ask for follower and engagement screenshots. Shikhar Chaudhary wrote: “Aapke hi casting agents puchte hain how many followers you have on social media.”
- Dismissal of Hard Work: Influencer Shray Rai Tiwari responded with sarcasm, saying, “Kya word hai sir (what a word). So much elegance. So profound.”
- Talent vs. PR: Content creator Divyanshu Agrawal criticized the film industry’s choices, stating he would “rather prefer taking inspiration from a self made creator doing legit valuable brand collabs for his/her audience rather than actors promoting tobacco/gambling products.”
The heated debate underscores a growing tension between traditional creative gatekeepers, like Chopra, and the new-age digital creators, with the latter group insisting that their follower counts are now often a prerequisite—not an alternative—for opportunities in the entertainment industry.