Shahid Kapoor has weighed in on film critic Anupama Chopra’s recent claim that a paid negative PR campaign may have fuelled trolling against Alia Bhatt after her Cannes Film Festival appearance. The actor addressed the issue during a conversation on The Hollywood Reporter India, where Chopra shared her allegation about organised online negativity targeting the actor.
While Shahid did not comment directly on the claim itself, he responded to the broader discussion around insecurity and perception in the entertainment industry. His remarks have since attracted significant attention online, particularly because they came moments after Chopra suggested that the criticism surrounding may not have been entirely organic.
What did say about industry rumours and manipulation?
Speaking about the culture of hearsay in the film industry, Shahid said he prefers not to believe everything he hears unless he has personally witnessed it.
“I personally never believe anything anybody says unless I am in the room or I saw it myself,” Shahid said, adding that taking things “with a pinch of salt” has helped him avoid being influenced by narratives created by others.
The actor further noted that public figures can become vulnerable to manipulation if they allow others to shape their perceptions. According to him, people in influential positions need to be cautious about accepting information without verification.
What was Anupama Chopra’s allegation about .
During the same interaction, Chopra recalled interviewing Alia Bhatt at Cannes and witnessing what she described as intense trolling directed at the actor afterwards.
She said a trusted industry source informed her that the negativity on social media was allegedly part of a paid campaign orchestrated by a well-known actor. Chopra suggested that professional rivalries and insecurities within the industry could sometimes contribute to such behaviour.
However, she did not identify the actor involved and did not present any evidence to substantiate the allegation.
Why does Shahid believe authenticity matters?
Shahid also spoke about the pressures that accompany fame and public scrutiny. He said audiences today can easily detect attempts to manufacture a certain image and are more likely to connect with artists who appear genuine.
According to the actor, the era of controlling public perception has largely passed, making authenticity more important than ever. He added that both admiration and criticism are inevitable aspects of celebrity life and must be accepted as part of the profession.
Shahid and Alia Bhatt have previously shared screen space in Shaandaar and Udta Punjab. Meanwhile, Alia is gearing up for the , Yash Raj Films’ upcoming spy thriller directed by Shiv Rawail.
Also starring Sharvari and Bobby Deol, the film is set to hit theatres on July 3 as part of YRF’s expanding Spy Universe.