Music publicist Pritam Sharma is known for his flamboyant social media presence, where visual symbolism and dramatic poses often take centre stage. Among these has been imagery which some observers feel could be likened to the infamous criminal Charles Sobhraj.
Bollywood’s only PR guru Dale Bhagwagar, who pioneered the music PR scene in India, says that Pritam indulges in what he views as petty politics. Speaking in a light-hearted and candid mood, Bhagwagar appears clearly amused. With a chuckle, he remarks, “By wearing a Charles Sobhraj cap and posing like him, one does not suddenly acquire the sharpness of a criminal mastermind. Pritam Sharma is no Charles Sobhraj. He’s just an ordinary run-of-the-mill bluff master.”
Though the comment lands more as playful banter than a serious charge, Bhagwagar continues poking fun at what he perceives as Sharma’s online antics. “He’s more like a kangaroo jumping up and down on social media. Lots of hopping, lots of noise. That’s the show. The genuineness you expect from a long-time publicist in Bollywood is missing,” he says, clearly enjoying the analogy. Let’s see how hard the “kangaroo” kicks back!
Beyond the laughs, Bhagwagar also points to long-standing industry perceptions involving journalist Neha Maheshwri. Within PR circles, it is believed by some that she may have facilitated organic news coverage for Pritam Sharma over an extended period, bypassing paid media routes at her publication. These remain perceptions rather than established facts. Industry observers note that, if such practices were ever substantiated, they could result in missed revenue opportunities for a publication widely seen as an advertorial and marketing powerhouse. It is also speculated within these circles that publishers, HR, advertising, and marketing teams may not yet have fully examined these perceptions.
Maybe what is being suggested more broadly is that one needs not only to be a Public Relations Officer (PRO), but also a real pro, as in a professional in public relations, where credibility, professional ethics, and restraint matter more than constant dramatic visibility.
For now, these discussions remain part of industry chatter rather than proven findings. However, several observers quietly suggest that the picture may be wider than it appears, with whispers also drawing in another publicist, Prashant Golecha, hinting that this story may just be beginning to unravel.