Actor Yami Gautam has found herself at the centre of an online debate after she liked an Instagram Reel that appeared to shade Kriti Sanon for winning the Best Actress award at the Zee Cine Awards.
Kriti won the award for her performance in Tere Ishk Mein, beating other nominees including Yami, who had received praise for her role in Haq.
Instagram Reel Triggers Controversy
The Reel that sparked the discussion featured a clip of Kriti happily holding her Best Actress trophy. The video then cuts to a past interview of Yami, where she said she had stopped seeking validation through awards.
The caption questioned whether it was fair that Kriti won the award over Yami. The Reel quickly gained traction online after users noticed that Yami had liked the video, which many interpreted as subtle shade toward Kriti’s win.
Reddit Users React
Screenshots of Yami’s like soon appeared on Reddit, where users began debating the situation.
Some Reddit users criticised the actor, suggesting the move seemed unnecessary. One comment read, “Why drag Kriti when all she does is mind her own business?” Another user called the move “insecure.”
Others defended Yami or argued that both actors deserved recognition. One user wrote, “Whether Kriti wins it or Yami, both are deserving.”
The debate also led to discussions about other nominees, with some fans mentioning Kangana Ranaut for her role in Emergency.
Kriti Sanon Celebrates Her Win
Meanwhile, Kriti celebrated her victory on social media, sharing photos and videos from the awards night.
“Mukti has my heart, and it’s a little more gold now,” she wrote while thanking the Zee Cine Awards team. She also expressed gratitude to director Aanand L. Rai and co-star Dhanush for their support.
Kriti added that she hopes to continue taking on diverse roles that connect with audiences.
Fans Divided Over the Debate
While the controversy continues to circulate on social media, many fans believe the discussion highlights how award wins in Bollywood often spark strong reactions among fan communities.
So far, neither Yami Gautam nor Kriti Sanon has publicly addressed the online debate.
