Over the last 24 hours, social media has been buzzing after eagle-eyed netizens noticed that Yami’s official Instagram account had 'liked' a reel that seemingly mocked Kriti Sanon’s recent Best Actress win at the Zee Cine Awards. However, Yami is not letting the rumor mill spin out of control.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter) late last night, the Haq actress issued a fiery and detailed clarification, shutting down claims that she was throwing shade at her contemporary.
It has come to my notice that I apparently ‘liked’ a reel that is condescending toward another actor. We get tagged in multiple things every day, and this appeared during an award-function reference like any other tag. It isn’t true and was definitely not done consciously, if…
— Yami Gautam Dhar (@yamigautam) March 5, 2026
Here is a complete breakdown of the controversy and Yami’s response.
The Reel in Question: "Is it Fair?"
The Award: The drama started when Kriti Sanon took home the Best Actress trophy at the recent Zee Cine Awards for her performance in Tere Ishk Mein.
The Fan Debate: Many cinephiles on the internet felt that Yami Gautam was snubbed and actually deserved the award for her critically acclaimed courtroom drama, Haq.
The Edit: A fan account posted an Instagram reel juxtaposing clips of Kriti happily accepting her trophy with an older interview clip of Yami telling The Hollywood Reporter India, "You try everything, and it still doesn't work. So, I've stopped seeking any kind of validation... If I get the award, then I am a good actress, and otherwise, I'm not." The reel ended with the text: "Is it fair?"
The Spark: The internet went into a frenzy when it showed that Yami’s official account had liked the post.
Yami’s Fiery Clarification: "It Was an Accident"
Unwilling to let the narrative turn into a "catfight," Yami quickly dropped a detailed explanation, calling out the culture of clickbait.
The "Accidental Tap": She explained that celebrities get tagged in hundreds of posts daily. She wrote: "It has come to my notice that I apparently 'liked' a reel that is condescending toward another actor... It isn't true and was definitely not done consciously; if anything, it may have been clicked accidentally."
No "Cheap PR": Strongly condemning the gossip, she added, "Never in my life have I resorted to cheap PR tactics. I have always focused on my work and moved on."
No PR Team: She concluded by reminding the media that she doesn't even employ a PR machinery to pull off such stunts: "I have no PR team, have respectfully cleared my stance on entertainment award shows long ago, and remain focused on my work."
The Work Front
While the internet debates awards, both actresses are busy dominating the box office. Kriti is currently enjoying the success of Tere Ishk Mein (directed by Aanand L Rai), while Yami is gearing up for a highly anticipated special action cameo in her husband Aditya Dhar's 'Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge', which hits theaters on March 19, 2026.
SantaBanta Verdict:
Anyone who has ever scrolled through Instagram knows how easy it is to accidentally double-tap a post! Yami Gautam has always been known for her grace and letting her acting do the talking. Her swift, no-nonsense clarification proves that she has zero interest in entertaining toxic fan wars. Let's leave the drama to the movies!
