Kriti Sanon took home the Best Actor in a Leading Role (Female) trophy at Zee Cine Awards 2026 for Tere Ishk Mein. However, the win has triggered a sharp backlash online. A large section of social media is convinced the award belonged to Yami Gautam for her performance in Haq — and they are not staying quiet about it.
Kriti Sanon Wins, But the Internet Has a Different Verdict
The Zee Cine Awards 2026 ceremony, held recently in Mumbai, handed Kriti the Best Actress trophy for her role as Mukti in Aanand L Rai’s romantic drama Tere Ishk Mein. The film, which also starred Dhanush, released in November 2025 and was positioned as a spiritual successor to the 2013 cult hit Raanjhanaa. However, the film faced sharp criticism upon release, with many viewers calling it “toxic” and accusing the makers of romanticising problematic behaviour in relationships.
Competing nominees included Yami Gautam for Haq, Triptii Dimri for Dhadak 2, Kangana Ranaut for Emergency, Sonam Bajwa for Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat, and Aneet Padda for Saiyaara. That is a competitive field by any measure.
Why Yami Gautam’s Haq Has Fans So Passionate
Directed by Suparn Verma, Haq is a courtroom drama that takes its inspiration from the landmark Supreme Court case Mohd. Ahmed Khan v. Shah Bano Begum — a judgement that reshaped conversations around matrimonial rights in Muslim households. Yami plays Bano, a woman who seeks legal protection after her husband abandons her and refuses financial support for their children. Emraan Hashmi and Sheeba Chaddha co-star in pivotal roles.
The film drew strong critical praise for its restraint, emotional depth, and Yami’s performance — particularly a courtroom monologue that audiences cannot stop talking about. One social media user summed up the feeling bluntly: “Yami’s monologue in the court >>>>> whatever Kriti has done in her entire career.”
That kind of comparison is extreme. Nevertheless, it reflects how deeply Yami’s performance has connected with viewers.
Social Media Erupts With Frustration
Reddit became the primary arena for the backlash. One user wrote, “Best Actress should’ve been Yami Gautam for Haq.” Another noted, “Yami Gautam should’ve won. Or even Kangana Ranaut or Tripti Dimri.” A third observed pointedly, “Since Kriti attended the show, of course it’s going to her.” That last comment cuts to something the Indian awards circuit has long struggled to shake — the widespread perception that attendance directly influences outcomes.
Furthermore, one user added, “Yami Gautam deserved it! Kriti Sanon was good, but Yami was brilliant!” The distinction being drawn here is not just preference. Many are framing it as a question of craft versus star presence.
The Box Office Irony and the Netflix Effect
Here is where the story gets more layered. Haq collected only ₹29 crore worldwide during its theatrical run — a modest number that would normally push a film out of the awards conversation entirely. However, everything changed when it premiered on Netflix on January 2, 2026. The film found its real audience on the streaming platform, sparking the kind of passionate word-of-mouth that theatrical releases rarely sustain.
In contrast, Tere Ishk Mein arrived with bigger commercial expectations and considerably more controversy. The irony, therefore, is hard to miss — a film about a woman fighting for justice in court was denied recognition, while a film widely criticised for toxic romantic tropes took the trophy home.
What This Says About Bollywood Awards Culture
The Zee Cine Awards controversy is not isolated. It feeds into a recurring frustration among audiences who feel that Indian film awards still prioritise star attendance and commercial muscle over genuine performance. Yami Gautam has built a quiet but consistent body of work in recent years — from Dasvi to Article 370 — and Haq represented perhaps her most demanding role yet.
Whether the academy revisits its criteria is unlikely. What is certain, though, is that this conversation has given Haq — and Yami’s performance — far more visibility than any trophy could have guaranteed.
