Yami Gautam Speaks Against Paid Marketing; Hrithik Roshan Joins In With Strong Warning
Yami Gautam Slams ‘Paid Promotion Syndicate’; Hrithik Roshan Backs Her Stand on Industry Malpractice: Actress Yami Gautam, who has been receiving widespread acclaim for her recent film Haq, publicly voiced her frustration on Thursday over what she described as a growing “paid promotion syndicate” in the film industry. In a strongly worded post shared on her X account, Yami condemned the practice of buying promotional coverage and alleged that it is suppressing creativity while encouraging a culture of extortion.
In her detailed statement, Yami said she had been wanting to speak out for a long time. She criticized the trend of paying for positive film marketing, stating that it has become a mechanism through which certain groups pressure filmmakers into transactional publicity. “This so-called trend of paying money for film marketing… seems like nothing more than a form of extortion,” she wrote, adding that negativity is often weaponized against films unless money exchanges hands.
Calling the practice an “epidemic,” Yami warned that the culture of paid promotions will eventually harm everyone in the industry. She also highlighted how, unlike Bollywood, the South Indian film industries maintain unity and do not allow such practices to flourish. Urging filmmakers, actors, and producers to stand together, she called for collective action to protect the integrity of Indian cinema.
Yami also referred to her husband, filmmaker Aditya Dhar, emphasizing his integrity and dedication to his craft. She expressed deep concern for the future of the industry and urged the fraternity not to destroy the joy of filmmaking. “Let the audience decide what they feel,” she said, stressing the need to protect the creative environment.
The conversation gained further momentum when actor Hrithik Roshan extended his support to Yami’s post. In his response, Hrithik underscored the importance of honest journalism, saying that paid promotion robs journalists of their authentic voice. “Only true opinions have the potential… where feedback helps us grow,” he wrote. He warned that without freedom of expression and truthful critique, both artists and journalists lose the opportunity for meaningful professional fulfillment.
Yami Gautam’s outspoken remarks and Hrithik Roshan’s endorsement have sparked fresh debate within the film community about transparency, ethical practices, and the future of film promotion in India.
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