Yami reveals 'extortion-like' 'paid hype' in Bollywood, Hrithik shows support
What's the story
Actor Yami Gautam Dhar has spoken out against what she calls a "growing trend" of paying for positive publicity in Bollywood. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), she said this practice is like extortion and could harm the future of the industry. Hrithik Roshan, her co-star from Kaabil, supported her views in the comments section.
Industry concerns
'Plague that is going to affect the future...'
Gautam Dhar wrote, "This so-called trend of giving money...to ensure good 'hype' for a film is created or else 'they' will continuously write negative things (even before the film is released) until you pay 'them' money feels nothing but kind of extortion." "Just because this arrangement is accessible to anyone, whether to 'hype' a film or spread negativity against another actor/a film, is a plague that is going to affect the future of our industry in a big way."
Industry impact
'It's not going to be a pretty picture for many'
Gautam Dhar added, "Unfortunately, if anyone feels- it's harmless & let's do it because it's the new 'normal,' is mistaken." "This monster of a 'trend' is eventually going to bite everyone." "If truth is exposed about a million things under the garb of who & what 'success' is over the past 5 years esp, unfortunately, it's not going to be a pretty picture for many."
Twitter Post
See Gautam Dhar and Roshan's posts here
More than anything , the golden thing that gets lost and leaves them and all of us impoverished is the journalists true voice , a chance for them to inform all the creative forces behind a movie what they felt , thought , what they applaud and criticise. Only true opinions have…
— Hrithik Roshan (@iHrithik) December 4, 2025
Call to action
'Let's not kill the joy of filmmaking...'
Gautam Dhar, who is married to Dhurandhar director Aditya Dhar, called for unity in the film industry to combat this troubling trend. She said, "I urge our esteemed producers, directors & actors to come together in order to arrest this termite of a culture at this stage itself & discourage it." "Let's not kill the joy of filmmaking & presenting it to the world & letting the audience decide what they feel. We need to protect our industry environment."
Support from co-star
'Their own right to freedom gets unknowingly...': Roshan
Roshan echoed her sentiments in the comments section, saying, "More than anything, the golden thing that gets lost and leaves them and all of us impoverished is the journalists true voice." "Only true opinions have the potential where feedback helps us evolve." He added, "Their own right to freedom gets unknowingly usurped and so does our chance of growth." Meanwhile, Gautam was last in Haq and Roshan graced the big screen in War 2.