Yami Gautam earned praise for her performance in Netflix’s 2025 drama Haq. The film strengthened her reputation as a versatile actor across digital platforms. Soon after the success, the actress became part of an online debate that quickly gained attention.
The discussion did not begin with her acting. Instead, it started after reports claimed that Yami liked an Instagram edit that criticised actress Kriti Sanon for accepting a recent award. The interaction quickly triggered speculation across social media.
Kriti Sanon received the Best Actress Jury Choice award at the Zee Cine Awards 2026. The ceremony took place in Mumbai on March 1, 2026. She won the honour for her role in the romantic drama Tere Ishk Mein, co starring Dhanush.
Soon after the announcement, online reactions began to surface. Several fans argued that Yami Gautam deserved the award for her performance in Haq. Many viewers described her role in the Netflix drama as one of the most powerful performances of the year.
The debate grew stronger when users noticed that Yami had liked an Instagram reel. The reel mocked Kriti’s win and included a clip from an earlier interview. In that interview, Yami said she no longer seeks validation through awards.
More discussion followed when users pointed out that Yami was also nominated for Haq. The actress did not attend the awards ceremony. Her social media activity later added fuel to speculation among fans and online commentators.
Across platforms like Instagram, Reddit and X, users analysed the situation closely. Some believed the like could have been accidental. Others felt it reflected Yami’s views on award culture and the importance given to such recognitions.
Several supporters even questioned the credibility of award shows. Some social media users described them as biased or influenced by popularity. The debate soon expanded beyond the single award to a larger discussion about industry recognition.
Some observers also referred to filmmaker Aditya Dhar, Yami’s husband. His film Dhurandhar reportedly received nominations but no wins. This added another layer to the conversation around recognition and awards.
Aditya Dhar and the Dhurandhar team had earlier declined to collect an award from The Hollywood Reporter India. The decision followed a negative review of the film by veteran critic and editor Anupama Chopra. The move had already sparked industry discussion.
The latest controversy has now renewed debate about awards in the entertainment industry. Questions about credibility, recognition and competition continue to surface. For many observers, the conversation reflects changing attitudes toward validation in cinema.
IG’s algorithm is weird
After getting nominated for Haq and not showing up at the Zee Cine Awards, #YamiGautam is now liking reels that seemingly look down upon #KritiSanon’s award.
Could this be an honest mistake, or is it absolutely intentional?
— Bollywood Talkies (@bolly_talkies) March 5, 2026
