Social media was set ablaze this week following a digital “mishap” involving two of Bollywood’s leading ladies. Yami Gautam Dhar has officially addressed the controversy surrounding an accidental “like” on an Instagram reel that appeared to mock Kriti Sanon’s recent Best Actress win at the Zee Cine Awards 2026.
Taking to her Instagram stories to settle the growing debate, Yami issued a clear and direct clarification, emphasizing that the interaction was entirely unintentional. The incident had sparked a wave of fan comparisons between Kriti’s performance in Tere Ishk Mein and Yami’s widely acclaimed role in the drama Haq.
In a swift move to quell negative speculation, Yami shared a detailed post on her Instagram status. She explained that the “like” was a mechanical error rather than a social commentary. According to the actor, the fast-paced nature of social media tagging often leads to such accidental interactions.
“Celebrities are frequently tagged in hundreds of posts every day. The reel in question likely appeared during a flurry of interactions related to recent award-function references. It was not a deliberate attempt to endorse any negative sentiment toward a fellow colleague,” Yami’s statement read.
She further emphasized her professional ethics, stating that she has never relied on “cheap publicity strategies” to garner attention or stay relevant in the industry. Her response has been hailed by fans as a grounded and mature way to handle digital scrutiny.
The root of the digital friction lies in the results of the Zee Cine Awards 2026. Kriti Sanon walked away with the Best Actress trophy for her performance in the romantic drama Tere Ishk Mein. While many celebrated Sanon’s win, a significant section of the audience felt that Yami Gautam’s powerhouse performance in Haq was unfairly overlooked.
The debate intensified when a fan-made reel began circulating, showing Kriti posing with her trophy, overlaid with comments suggesting the award was “undeserved” compared to Yami’s work. It was this specific reel that Yami’s account reportedly “liked,” triggering a firestorm of “actor-war” headlines before her clarification today.
Despite the social media noise, both actors remain focused on their high-profile upcoming releases. Yami Gautam Dhar is currently preparing for a major cinematic appearance, while Kriti Sanon takes a well-deserved breather.
Yami will next be seen in a high-impact cameo in the spy-thriller Dhurandhar: The Revenge. Directed by her husband, Aditya Dhar, the film is a sequel to the 2024 blockbuster and stars Ranveer Singh in the lead.
On the other hand, Kriti Sanon has reportedly taken a brief hiatus from the limelight. She recently wrapped up filming for the highly anticipated Cocktail 2, where she stars alongside Shahid Kapoor and Rashmika Mandanna.
Yami’s clarification reinforces her reputation as a “no-nonsense” performer. By explicitly stating that she does not subscribe to manufactured PR wars, she has successfully shifted the conversation back to her work.
Industry experts suggest that while social media “likes” are often scrutinized as hidden messages, they are frequently the result of mindless scrolling or management errors. Yami’s decision to address it personally on her Instagram status has largely deactivated the “rivalry” narrative that gossip columns were beginning to build.
As the release of Dhurandhar: The Revenge approaches on March 19, Yami’s focus remains on the film’s massive global rollout. With the trailer dropping tomorrow, the actor is expected to be part of the final promotional push for the Aditya Dhar directorial.
