News Desk: Singer, songwriter and actor Palash Sen has questioned Salman Khan’s recent comments against paid negative public relations (PR) campaigns in Bollywood, alleging that the superstar himself was once part of the industry culture he is now criticising.
The controversy began after Salman addressed online trolling and alleged paid campaigns against actors during a Bigg Boss 20 Weekend Ka Vaar episode. Palash shared his views in an interview with Screen, raising questions about whether the actor’s remarks were spontaneous or scripted.
Palash Sen questions Salman Khan’s comments
Palash recalled an incident in which a film trailer featuring a leading female actor received more dislikes than likes on YouTube, prompting the platform to disable its dislike feature. He said such incidents make it difficult to determine whether online reactions are genuine or driven by organised campaigns.
Reacting to Salman’s criticism of paid negative PR, Palash said the problem did not begin at the bottom of the film industry’s hierarchy but originated among those in positions of power.
“He’s a part of starting this. Let’s not forget that,” Palash said, adding that people who have maintained their positions in the industry for years have inevitably interacted with PR professionals.
He further remarked that it was difficult to accept criticism of a practice without considering whether the person speaking out had previously been associated with it.
Calling Salman’s remarks brave, Palash nevertheless maintained that the actor had been part of the problem. He also questioned whether the Bigg Boss 20 segment reflected Salman’s genuine views or had been scripted for television.
According to Palash, it has become increasingly difficult to distinguish authentic reactions from carefully planned publicity in the entertainment industry.
What Salman Khan said about paid PR
During the Weekend Ka Vaar episode, Salman spoke against online trolling and defended Katrina Kaif after she faced criticism over her weight following childbirth.
He also alleged that some actors or producers could be encouraging negative campaigns against fellow celebrities by paying people to spread criticism online.
Salman said fan clubs often reveal who is behind trolling campaigns, although celebrities may choose not to respond publicly.
He also criticised alleged paid film reviews, arguing that giving films inflated ratings in exchange for money amounted to corruption. His comments raised questions about ethics and accountability in Bollywood’s publicity and media practices.
### Who is Palash Sen?
Palash Sen is the founder and lead singer of Euphoria, one of India’s prominent independent music bands, established in 1998. The band is known for popular tracks such as Dhoom Pichuck Dhoom, Maaeri, Phir Dhoom, Aana Meri Gully and Mehfooz.
Trained as a doctor, Palash later pursued music professionally and also appeared in films, including Filhaal (2002), starring Tabu and Sushmita Sen.
In August 2026, Palash and Euphoria marked nearly three decades in music with the release of their album Dhoomsday. His latest remarks have added another dimension to the ongoing debate over trolling, paid publicity and the influence of PR campaigns in Bollywood.
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