Shahid Kapoor recently managed to deliver a response that landed its punch without ever raising its voice. During a conversation with The Hollywood Reporter, the actor was asked about the backlash Alia Bhatt faced at the Cannes Film Festival. And what followed was neither a direct confrontation nor a defense wrapped in diplomacy; instead, Kapoor presented a more all-around observation on fame, perception, and authenticity that many viewers interpreted as a response to the narrative presented before him.
“You’re trying to manipulate them; they get pissed off,” says Shahid Kapoor on the trolling of Alia Bhatt
Alia Bhatt has spent much of the past few years under the social media microscope. Criticism has followed her from multiple directions, whether over action sequences featured in the teaser of Alpha, her appearance as a host at a Bollywood awards ceremony in Mumbai, or claims circulating online about statements and stories that users accused her of falsifying.
The scrutiny reached another level during her appearance at the Cannes Film Festival last month. Social media platforms were flooded with comments dissecting everything from her wardrobe choices to her demeanor at the event. Some users claimed photographers appeared to pay little attention to her, while others mocked her presence, calling her confidence unwarranted.
The topic recently resurfaced when film critic Anupama Chopra raised it during her interview with Shahid Kapoor. Having shared screen space with Bhatt in films such as Udta Punjab and Shaandaar, Shahid Kapoor was well-positioned to comment on the discourse surrounding his co-star.
Chopra worded the issue by recounting her experience at Cannes and the conversations that followed. “So, we were at Cannes, and one of the first interviews I did there was with Alia, and then over the successive few days, I watched just the awful, graceless trolling and conversation and negativity and all of that, right?”
“And then a couple of days ago, somebody said to me that… And this is not somebody who’s just like an outsider, but somebody who is deeply embedded in the business, and somebody whom I trust… So, that somebody said that this was actually paid campaigning against her because actors today are so insecure. I said that doesn’t even make any sense. What is happening?”
Her comment claimed that some of the criticism aimed at Bhatt may not have been organic at all, but rather the product of orchestrated efforts. Kapoor, however, chose a different route in his response.
Instead of dwelling on conspiracy theories or assigning blame, he argued that criticism is part and parcel of public life. According to Kapoor, the geography has changed dramatically in the age of social media, where audiences can spot manufactured images from a mile away.
Without mentioning any individual by name, he spoke about insecurity, jealousy, performance, and authenticity. Many viewers interpreted those remarks as a rebuttal to the suggestion that Bhatt had become the victim of a paid campaign.
As Kapoor put it, “I just feel, what is it? Be real. There was a time where you could build a persona and you could manipulate people’s perception of you. That time is running. So I feel this and I feel every artist should just know, even if you’re imperfect, even if you’re insecure, let it show. Let people see yourself for who you are. When they feel you’re trying to show them something and they can see through that you’re trying to manipulate them, they get pissed off. People get very angry.”
He stated that the social media platforms, such as Instagram, have created a generation of users who record themselves, curate online identities, and understand how image-building works from the inside out.
As Kapoor suggested, viewers are no longer passive consumers. They understand performance, branding, and presentation because many engage in the same exercises themselves. As a result, they can often distinguish between someone presenting a crafted image and someone revealing parts of their actual personality.
Continuing his argument, Kapoor added, So that game is over. Nobody should play it anymore. People are smart. People understand. And I think people are okay if you show that you are st*pid, you are unreasonable, you are impractical. As far as they see that you are being yourself, they will still forgive you. But what they will not forgive you for is you are trying to manipulate their perception of you, and they catch on to that. So I think as an artist, it’s a good thing. You can be yourself. Be yourself. What’s that? It’s gone. So be yourself.”
Bhatt took the scrutiny with a pinch of salt
Bhatt, for her part, has not remained silent in the face of criticism. After posting a reel showcasing her ivory silk saree-gown ensemble from Cannes, she received a comment from a social media user that read, “What a pity, no one noticed you,” accompanied by a laughing emoji.
But Alia, instead of ignoring the remark, responded with a touch of humor. “Why pity love? You noticed me :)”
The exchange quickly spread across social media and was cited by supporters as evidence that Bhatt remains unbothered by at least some of the criticism directed her way.
Yet the conversation surrounding the actor shows no sign of slowing down. With the teaser of Alpha now under scrutiny and social media dissecting everything from performances to promotional campaigns, Bhatt continues to find herself at the center of debate.
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