A moviegoer always prefers to read a review and then watch a movie. But, are all these reviews genuine? Well, not all! The top critics in Bollywood give favorable reviews in order to get their name published on posters, thereby gaining publicity. And Supposedly these “good reviews” help get more footfalls in cinema halls for a film. But audience is more intelligent than what producers or critics can imagine because most of these films flop badly despite all this 'fake buzz'.

Reviews are said to be one of the most prominent deciding factors of the fate of a film. If the reviews are positive, there is section of audience opt to watch the film. But, are all the reviews genuine, that’s a big question. There are so many movie critics nowadays, out of which a few have been in the industry from a long period of time. They have made their mark in the world of Entertainment journalism.

Viewers usually prefer to watch a movie after reading the reviews of these so called “famous” critics. But what if I told you these reviews are rigged? 

As many of us know, well-known media publications and websites get special invites for movie screenings even before the movie releases. But these “famous” critics get an additional deal with these invites. The producers or the PR agencies organizing the screening place a proposal before the critic – “Give the movie excellent ratings and find your name on its posters, hoardings, etc”.

If the reviewer agrees, it’s a win-win situation for both – the film as well as the reviewer. Following the positive reviews, audiences prefer to watch the film, thereby adding to the box office collection of the movie; and the reviewer is happy that he got free publicity thanks to the post-release posters of the film.

But, is it right to give out fake reviews just for publicity? The audiences prefer to read their reviews because they trust their experience and knowledge of the art of filmmaking and critiquing. But when the audience feels betrayed at being led to a movie which makes them want to leave the theater mid-way, aren’t these reviewers harming their own reputation?

It’s because of these kinds of publicity-hungry reviewers that genuine reviewers also suffer.