Yami opens up about political tags

Agencies :

Bollywood actress and model Yami Gautam took to the stage of the News18 Rising Bharat Summit 2026 and spoke candidly. The theme of the conference was ‘Strength Within’. There, she answered a question that many actors avoid. During the
discussion, Yami was asked if it had ever happened that a director said, “I wanted to take you, but after you did that film, I didn’t want to take you anymore?” The question was a touchy one. However, Yami replied thoughtfully, without any defensiveness.
She said that she has not had such an experience recently. Maybe three-four years ago, someone might have had such apprehensions or hesitations. But now, the kind of films she is doing and the kind of roles that directors are thinking of her for, she no longer sees such a mentality. It is clear from her statement that times have changed, and the perspective of the industry has also changed.
Yami Gautam has played the lead role in several films that are made with a political backdrop. These include ‘Article 370’ and ‘Haq’. There have been many controversies and discussions surrounding these films.
However, according to Yami, in the end, the quality of a film is determined by its style of production, not just by its political stance. Yami said that many have sent her messages and written that whatever the political views, the film is well-made. Rather, such films force the audience to think – is what we believe the only truth? Or can the matter be seen from another perspective?
According to Yami, this is the power of cinema. It is not a means of imposing an agenda; rather, it is an art form that raises questions and opens the door to discussion.
Yami also said another important thing in the discussion, that the truth cannot be hidden because, the camera is very transparent. In her words, the camera can capture not only the expression of an actor, but also the attitude of the writer and the intention of the director. That is, if the acting is artificial or the intention is unclear, it will be caught on screen. That is why Yami believes that one has to work with honesty because, the audience ultimately feels sincerity. Yami also spoke about the changing reality of India.
According to her, this is a new India, where modern cinema is also finding a new language. Change is necessary not only in society, but also in cinema. And that change is also visible. Yami sees her journey as part of this change. Where artistes were once wary of ‘labels’, now audiences are judging films by their quality. Depth of content, production style and honesty of acting are becoming the real criteria.