An old celebrity confession has suddenly become a fresh flashpoint. Just as Dhurandhar 2 continues to keep Yami Gautam in the public conversation, a throwback video from the promotions of Total Siyapaa has resurfaced online, showing the actor admitting she once had a crush on former Pakistan cricketer Shahid Afridi. What began years ago as a breezy pop culture moment is now being replayed in a far more charged atmosphere.
That shift in tone comes at a very specific point in Yami’s career. Over the past few years, the actor has increasingly been associated with stories rooted in politics, conflict, and national identity, which has made even a decade old interview clip feel newly contentious in the social media age. The result is a wave of commentary that has placed a light-hearted archive moment beside the far more serious image built by her recent screen choices.
When A Throwback Confession Turns Into A Viral Talking Point
In the resurfaced interaction, Yami is seen chatting with her Total Siyapaa co star Ali Zafar when the conversation turns to cricket and her old admiration for Afridi. The clip has now been widely shared across X and Instagram, where users are framing it either as an innocuous pre fame memory or as a point of contradiction when viewed against her current public image.
In the movie they said, they don’t have issues with Pakistani people. They have problem with terrorists. See the movie again.— Shyam (@Shyam274493) April 13, 2026
Another user commented, “These are all fake nationalists. Have been saying it for sometime. Preaching Nationalism all the time does not make one a nationalist.”
These are all fake nationalists. Have been saying it for sometime. Preaching Nationalism all the time does not make one a nationalist— Racing Veteran (@RacingVeteran01) April 13, 2026
One user reacted, “She always used to give me shady vibes. Thank God and the way she play victim card for all her movies despite having strong PR team lol.” She always used to give me shady vibes.Thank God and the way she play victim card for all her movies despite having strong PR team lol— ਸਿਧਾਰਥ 🦁 (@Sidfanworld) April 14, 2026
Another user reacted, “Both her and her husband were ok, working with Pakistani actors before. Now they’re just making anti-pak movies for money which is also ok. Filmmakers make whatever sells.” Internet has a very short memory. Both her and her husband were ok, working with Pakistani actors before. Now they’re just making anti-pak movies for money which is also ok. Filmmakers make whatever sells. But her PR should stop targeting other stars unnecessarily. Taani Partner (@shahcutiekhan) March 21, 2026
The online response has been sharply split. One user wrote on X, “In the movie they said, they don’t have issues with Pakistani people. They have problem with terrorists. See the movie again.” Another posted, “These are all fake nationalists. Have been saying it for sometime. Preaching Nationalism all the time does not make one a nationalist.” Much of the conversation has centred on whether the clip should be treated as a harmless personal remark from an earlier phase of her career or folded into a larger political reading of her image today.
Yami Gautam has not publicly responded to the latest round of commentary. The clip, however, has continued to circulate widely, with reactions focused as much on her present day screen identity as on the original interview itself.
Yami Gautam’s Recent And Upcoming Work
Yami Gautam has been on a strong run across both theatrical and OTT releases. In 2023, she starred in Lost, which premiered on ZEE5, and in Netflix’s Chor Nikal Ke Bhaga opposite Sunny Kaushal. In 2024, she fronted Article 370, directed by Aditya Suhas Jambhale and backed by B62 Studios and Jio Studios. The film released in theatres on February 23, 2024, and emerged as a commercial success, earning over Rs 110 crore worldwide. She was last seen in Haq opposite Emraan Hashmi which was a theatrical flop.
Most recently, she appeared in a brief cameo in Dhurandhar The Revenge directed by Aditya Dhar. Looking ahead, Yami has also started shooting for Nayyi Navelli, unveiled in March 2026, with a theatrical release planned before its streaming debut on Prime Video. The arc of these projects marks a clear shift from her earlier rom com and drama phase to a more tightly curated slate of female led and politically charged titles, a transition that has also brought much closer public attention to her off screen statements and persona.
Stay tuned with us for the latest news, Hindi box office news, Hollywood news, OTT news, the latest Bollywood news, and the latest box office news.
