Bollywood actor Tara Sutaria has publicly condemned what she says is a coordinated paid PR campaign aimed at tarnishing her reputation, following the viral reaction to a moment from a recent AP Dhillon concert where she appeared on stage with the singer. The actress took to social media to share details of the alleged plot, including what she claims was an offer made to influencers to post negative commentary for payment.
The controversy stemmed from clips of Tara on stage during Dhillon’s show, where she danced and interacted with the performer. An accompanying reaction video showing her boyfriend Veer Pahariya in the audience was widely shared with claims he appeared uncomfortable with the situation, leading to a flurry of online speculation about their relationship.
In response to the backlash, Tara reshared a post from a social-media influencer on her Instagram account in which the influencer claimed she had received a list of talking points from a PR company. According to that claim, creators were offered Rs 6,000 to publish content against Tara based on the supplied narrative. The influencer said they were told they would receive payment within an hour of posting such content. Tara described the practice as “shameful” and “disgusting,” saying that it was a deliberate attempt to malign her image, career and personal relationships.
Tara also shared screenshots of the talking points that were allegedly circulated, which included derogatory remarks encouraging content that labelled her negatively and suggested she was exploiting the situation for attention. She wrote that these talking points had been sent to “hundreds of creators and thousands of meme pages” with the intent to “ruin my reputation.” The actress framed the revelation as evidence of how social-media narratives can be manipulated by organised campaigns rather than genuine audience reaction.
To further counteract the misleading portrayal, Tara posted a video from the concert that showed her dancing with AP Dhillon while Veer appears engaged and enjoying the music, a setting that contrasts sharply with the perception created by the clipped reaction footage. She captioned this with the words “What the media won’t show you,” emphasising that context was missing from many of the viral posts.
Veer Pahariya also engaged with the online conversation by clarifying that the widely shared reaction clip was taken during a different moment in the concert, not at the same time as the footage of Tara and Dhillon together. His comment underscored the fact that the viral reaction did not accurately reflect his response to the staged performance.
What makes this situation notable is how it exemplifies the complexity of interpretation in the digital age, especially when short clips and selective editing can significantly alter how events are perceived. Celebrities often find themselves at the centre of virality that is shaped less by what actually transpired and more by how clips are repackaged and distributed. Tara’s public response underscores how quickly a narrative can spiral and how strategic amplification, sometimes involving paid campaigns, can intensify a situation. Whether intentional or opportunistic, such campaigns can have reputational consequences for public figures.
In clarifying the context and exposing the alleged PR strategy, Tara emphasised that “love and the truth always wins,” suggesting both she and Veer Pahariya remain unfazed by attempts to misrepresent them. By presenting the fuller context of the concert moment alongside accusations of paid negative content, she attempted to shift the online narrative back toward authenticity and challenge the emerging pattern of orchestrated negativity.
The incident illustrates the power and pitfalls of social media in celebrity culture, where even brief public moments can be reshaped into broader stories that detract from the facts of an event. Tara’s assertive response highlights how public figures now must navigate not just fans and critics, but also the influence of third-party content creators whose interpretations can steer public perception.