Tanishaa Mukerji Slams Fake “Saiyaara” Claims: “Stop Bashing Bollywood for Real Emotions”
Tanishaa Mukerji refutes viral claims that “Saiyaara” used paid fans for promotional theater stunts. She calls it Bollywood bashing and defends the film's emotional audience reactions.
NewsSutra
Introduction: Emotions or Orchestration? The “Saiyaara” Controversy
Tanishaa Mukerji, who recently made a much-anticipated comeback in the romantic drama Saiyaara, found herself at the center of controversy following the viral spread of videos showing theatergoers allegedly "crying" during the film. Several social media handles claimed that audiences were paid to react emotionally as part of a manipulative promotional strategy.
Now, in an exclusive and assertive statement, Tanishaa has pushed back hard, calling these accusations not just false, but part of a larger, growing trend of “Bollywood bashing.” With the debate heating up online, the controversy sheds light on the fine line between authentic fandom and fabricated PR, and the larger credibility battle Indian cinema now faces.
What Sparked the Allegations?
The uproar began when a clip circulated on Instagram Reels and X (formerly Twitter), showing a group of viewers exiting a Mumbai cinema in tears, deeply moved by the emotional climax of Saiyaara. The film, a layered story about loss, healing, and rekindled love, stars Tanishaa Mukerji in her most mature role yet.
However, instead of praise, the video sparked suspicion. Influencers and online critics alleged that these emotional reactions were staged. Some even claimed that extras were hired by PR agencies, with payments ranging from ₹500 to ₹1000, to cry on cue and create a buzz for the film.
The claim gained momentum, especially on Reddit threads and gossip portals. Accusations that “Bollywood is faking emotional connection to sell flop films” began to trend on #FakePromoSaiyaara.
Tanishaa’s Response: “This Is Unfair and Misguided”
Speaking at a press interaction in Mumbai, Tanishaa Mukerji addressed the controversy head-on:
“This constant vilification of Bollywood has to stop. If someone is moved to tears watching a film, how can we assume it’s fake? It’s heartbreaking to see artists being questioned for the authenticity of audience love.”
She further added, “I’ve met fans after screenings who’ve shared personal stories about grief and love. ‘Saiyaara’ touched them because it was real. Not everything is a marketing gimmick.”
Tanishaa also clarified that neither the production house nor any PR agency was involved in orchestrating staged reactions, and that the videos were candid audience moments taken by third-party viewers, not part of any official media campaign.
Behind “Saiyaara”: A Film Built on Emotional Depth
Released on July 19, Saiyaara is directed by Ayan Verma and written by Rachita Kapoor, known for her emotionally intense narratives. The film follows the journey of Asha (played by Tanishaa), a woman navigating the loss of her fiancé and finding herself in a series of soul-searching encounters.
With a subtle narrative style and minimal dialogues, the film leans heavily on non-verbal performances and emotional realism. Critics have generally praised Tanishaa for her restrained, mature acting, calling this a turning point in her career.
The emotional scenes that sparked the viral videos occur in the film’s final act, which deals with closure, letting go, and rekindling forgotten dreams. According to many reviewers, the scenes were naturally moving, especially for viewers with personal experiences of grief.
Is Bollywood Under Siege?
Tanishaa’s passionate defense also taps into a wider conversation: Why is Bollywood constantly under suspicion?
Post the Sushant Singh Rajput controversy, Bollywood has faced an ongoing credibility crisis, with a wave of anti-industry sentiment flooding online platforms. Whether it's box office failures, nepotism debates, or alleged PR stunts, every move by industry insiders is scrutinized.
Many believe that this environment of mistrust has now reached a tipping point, where genuine public reactions are automatically dismissed as manufactured.
As noted by Film Companion, “The erosion of trust in Bollywood is now feeding a cycle where even honest attempts at storytelling are undermined by cynicism.”
Legal Standpoint: Can Staged Reactions Be Prosecuted?
While there’s no legal restriction on using actors or extras in promotional content (as long as it’s not deceptive advertising), paying people to fake emotional responses without disclosure could fall under the Consumer Protection Act for misleading advertising.
However, in the case of Saiyaara, there’s no official evidence of paid actors or faked reactions. In fact, several fans came forward to post their personal stories on platforms like Instagram and Quora, validating their genuine response to the film.
“I was in that theatre,” posted user RoshniM on Quora. “The people crying were sitting right in front of me. They weren’t acting. The film just hit home.”
Public Reaction: A House Divided
The public remains split. While some support Tanishaa’s stand and have begun using hashtags like #RespectRealReactions, others continue to view the viral video as suspect.
A Twitter poll conducted by Filmfare showed that 43% of respondents believed the reactions were “likely genuine,” while 31% called them staged, and 26% remained undecided.
This divide underscores the fragile trust between Bollywood and its audience—one that is easily influenced by viral narratives and misinformation.
The Cost of Viral Misinformation
The broader impact of these accusations goes beyond just Saiyaara. Viral misinformation can:
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Undermine a film’s credibility, especially if it's dependent on word-of-mouth.
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Discourage filmmakers from exploring emotionally nuanced stories, fearing backlash or disbelief.
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Shift public discourse from storytelling to skepticism, where every moment is treated as PR choreography.
This is especially damaging for actors like Tanishaa who are in the midst of career reinvention, and for indie-style films that rely on organic traction rather than mega-budget campaigns.
Final Thoughts: A Call for Balanced Criticism
Tanishaa’s rebuttal may not convince the die-hard skeptics, but it certainly raises important questions about the ethical responsibility of both content creators and critics.
As Bollywood evolves, blending commercial narratives with indie authenticity, audience engagement must be judged with fairness. Emotional responses to art are deeply personal—and accusing them of being fake without evidence trivializes both the viewer and the artist.
“We don’t question tears in theatre or literature,” said Tanishaa in closing. “Why should cinema be any different?”
