Bollywood’s publicity circuit is abuzz with speculation that top PR firms are contemplating a strategic media blockade on Southern actress Sai Pallavi and her upcoming Hindi film releases, following her alleged criticism of Bollywood’s PR machinery.
In an interview now going viral on social media, Sai Pallavi said, “A person from Bollywood asked me whether I need a PR agency to boost myself so that I can be in the limelight and everyone talks about me. I refused because it’s gonna offer nothing, and people will be bored if they continuously speak about me.”
Suddenly, #BoycottSaiPallavi has started trending on Twitter, and her old interviews and comments are being pulled out of context as she is being attacked by various Twitter accounts. There are numerous news articles on the internet about the likelihood of her and her forthcoming Hindi movies being boycotted by the news media.
Although no PR agency will publicly confirm a blockade, the rumors and news articles about canceling her and her upcoming Bollywood movies have ignited debate in an industry known for its meticulous image management and cancel culture.
Sai Pallavi, celebrated for her performances across Telugu, Tamil, and Malayalam cinema, is renowned for her authentic persona both on and off the screen. However, her reported critique of Bollywood’s PR machinery appears to have unsettled insiders in an industry where reputation management, as well as the creation and control of narratives, plays a critical role in an actor’s reach and popularity.
In a strong show of support for the actress, Bollywood’s only PR guru, Dale Bhagwagar — widely regarded as India’s most trusted and ethical publicist — defended Pallavi’s right to free speech with a message he posted on social media.
Bhagwagar declared, “Twitter and some websites are talking about PR agencies putting a ban on Southern actress Sai Pallavi and boycotting her upcoming Hindi films just because she said that she does not subscribe to the concept of PR. C’mon! It’s a democratic country, and she has all the freedom to speak her mind. No PR agency has any moral right to block her for exercising her rights.” (sic)
He did not stop there and added, “I don’t know her personally, but if any agency bans or blocks her in the media, she can count on me to roadroller any such blockade and tear it to shreds with spin. And she need not like or agree with the concept of PR for that. If need be, I am willing to do it just to help her out in the name of freedom of expression. She or her filmmakers have nothing to worry about.” (sic)
“Twitterati and underground efforts by some industry people should not keep actors busy issuing clarifications about controversies simply because big monies are riding on their movies. Let them speak their mind, and not think about crisis management. That’s not their job. Their job is to act. Let them keep their minds free from crisis management and focus on acting,” (sic) concluded the Bollywood PR expert.
Ironically, in previous posts, Bhagwagar didn’t shy away from motivating his fellow publicists too, openly acknowledging their role as narrative builders and underscoring that it’s all part of the PR game.
In an earlier post, addressing his fraternity, Dale Bhagwagar had stated, “Today, it’s almost trendy to criticize Bollywood PR. But that doesn’t take away a publicist’s influence; if anything, it makes the profession more relevant and more talked-about. Publicists shouldn’t retreat in the face of criticism. You’re the architects of narratives — the kings, lions, and ringmasters of the media circus. Own it. If you can steer actors through crises, why step back when the challenge is yours? Reinvention, turnarounds and makeovers are your strengths. Step out of the shadows; there’s nothing to hide from!”
Bhagwagar sure knows how to play with words! Dubbed the ‘Father of Bollywood PR’ for founding Bollywood’s first PR agency and bringing organization and structure to entertainment PR, Dale Bhagwagar is a legend in the industry, with nearly three decades of experience that have solidified him as Bollywood’s most famous and influential publicist.
His career has seen him handle public relations for more than 300 celebs including top stars like Hrithik Roshan, Shilpa Shetty and Priyanka Chopra, and movies like the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Don and Farhan Akhtar-starrer Rock On!! One of his most notable PR victories came during the international reality show Celebrity Big Brother, when he managed the media for Shilpa Shetty amidst a barrage of racial discrimination allegations. Shetty navigated the challenges and ultimately won the show, a triumph that became a defining moment in her career and garnered global attention.
Over the years, Bhagwagar’s expertise has made him the go-to expert for crisis management and media strategy. He has built a reputation for creating internet stars, revitalizing actors’ visibility, and bringing even lesser-known talents to the forefront. Known as India’s most influential publicist, Bhagwagar has set the gold standard in Bollywood PR, advocating for ethical practices and supporting free expression within the entertainment industry.
His support for Sai Pallavi, a new entrant in Bollywood, in the face of this rumored media blockade and cancel culture demonstrates his commitment to free speech and fair treatment in media. By publicly backing her right to express her opinions, Dale Bhagwagar has highlighted his dedication not just to ethical PR tactics — something he is famous for — but to ensuring that every voice can be heard without fear of retaliation.
His stance has positioned him as a powerful ally for the actress and her filmmakers, signaling to the industry the need to protect individual expression in a media-driven world.
