Cameras, celebrities, and chaos: The changing paparazzi culture taking over Bollywood |

“I’m your biggest fan, I’ll follow you until you love me, Papa-paparazzi.” With Lady Gaga’s infectious beat echoing through the chaotic world of Bollywood, the line between adoration and intrusion blurs.
Welcome to the dazzling, fast-paced world of Bollywood, where every glamorous red carpet event and star-studded soirée is a playground for the ever-watchful paparazzi.Imagine living in a world where your every move, from a coffee run to a casual stroll in the park, is captured and splashed across tabloids and social media. For Bollywood stars, this is not just a wild fantasy but a daily reality. As the flashing cameras and intrusive lenses become increasingly omnipresent, the line between public and private life blurs, and the price of fame grows steeper.
The paparazzi culture in Bollywood is not just about capturing high-profile moments; it’s about the relentless pursuit of celebrities’ every nuance, turning even the most mundane activities into media spectacles. This obsession with the glamorous lives of stars has transformed into a booming business, driven by an insatiable public curiosity. But what’s the real impact of this constant scrutiny? How does it affect the lives of the stars and their young families, who are also thrust into the limelight?
Join us as we dive into the world where flashbulbs and fame collide, exploring how Bollywood’s glittering elite cope with the ceaseless attention of the paparazzi. From high-profile actors voicing their frustrations to the young star kids navigating the storm of media frenzy, we’ll unravel the layers of this fascinating phenomenon. Let’s explore how this culture is not just shaping the lives of celebrities but also redefining the boundaries of personal privacy. Get ready for a roller-coaster ride through the star-studded, flash-filled universe of Bollywood’s paparazzi culture!
The growing influence of paparazzi
In recent years, the presence of paparazzi in Bollywood has intensified. From daily sightings to special events, the media’s insatiable appetite for exclusive photos has turned into a lucrative business. Photographers chase celebrities across airports, restaurants, and even their private homes, often blurring the lines between public and private life.
Media and paparazzi has received a lot of criticism for treating celebrities’ deaths and last rites as opportunities for sensationalism and TRP gains. It highlights instances where paparazzi have invaded the privacy of grieving families, such as during the funerals of Dilip Kumar, Sushant Singh Rajput and the recent demise of Malaika Arora’s father Anil Mehta. Celebrities deserve respect and privacy, especially during such personal and emotional moments, and it is wrong on the part of the media in exploiting these situations for viewership.

Varun Dhawan recently criticized the paparazzi for their insensitivity following the death of Malaika Arora’s father, Anil Mehta. In a heartfelt social media post, Varun condemned the practice of taking photos of grieving individuals, urging photographers to consider the emotional impact of their actions. He emphasized the need for compassion and respect during such difficult times.
Alia Bhatt also expressed her frustration recently with paparazzi who followed her into a building, invading her private space. Known for her usually friendly interactions with photographers, Alia was visibly upset and scolded them, emphasizing that they had crossed a boundary by entering her private area.
Over the years, many actors have voiced their frustration with paparazzi invading their privacy. Veteran star Jaya Bachchan is known for her no-nonsense attitude toward photographers, often calling them “intruders” and openly rejecting the culture of meddling in personal affairs. Taapsee Pannu, too, recently had her run-ins with the paps. The Thappad actress was visibly irritated when photographers surrounded her, bombarding her with questions about the late comedian Raju Srivastava’s passing, making the moment all the more uncomfortable.

The unforgettable images of Rhea Chakraborty being relentlessly chased by paparazzi to her home in 2020 shocked many. Filmmaker Rumi Jaffery, who stood by Rhea during the turbulent time following Sushant Singh Rajput’s tragic death, still recalls the ordeal. In an earlier interview with ETimes, he said, “It was nothing short of torment. The girl was already under immense mental stress, dealing with her boyfriend’s death, and her family was being targeted. To top it off, this was during COVID-19, with strict BMC guidelines in place. Yet, the paparazzi were pushing and shoving, tailing her car—utterly disgraceful.”
The impact on young star kids
The focus of the paparazzi has expanded beyond established actors to include their children. The offspring of Bollywood’s elite are increasingly under the media microscope, with their every move attracting significant attention. Shah Rukh Khan’s young son AbRam, Kareena Kapoor Khan’s sons, Taimur Ali Khan and Jehangir Ali Khan, and Ranbir Kapoor’s daughter Raha Kapoor are prime examples.
In an interview with Hindustan Times, Taimur’s nanny Lalita Dsilva shared her experience of dealing with the constant media attention on the star kid She explained how the paparazzi would always focus on the toddler, leading her to take measures to protect him from the public gaze. With increasing pressure from both the media and the public, Dsilva often found herself reminding people not to chase him, emphasizing that he was just a child. She even urged parents to focus on their own children instead of being overly fascinated by Taimur. Despite having no prior experience in managing media crowds, she took it upon herself to ensure his safety, prioritizing his security amid the frenzy.

During a recent cricket match, Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli’s daughter, Vamika, was seen in the stands, and her face was revealed to the public for the first time. Fans quickly noticed the resemblance between Vamika and her father, Virat, calling her a “mini Virat”. Despite the couple’s previous requests for privacy, the images went viral, sparking a mix of admiration and criticism from fans. However, on the request of the couple, media houses and paparazzi did not use Vamika’s pictures on their respective portals. Anushka had thanked the Indian fraternity for not clicking or sharing her daughter’s pictures. The same was for their newborn son Akaay.

Ranbir Kapoor had once shared his thoughts on protecting his daughter Raha’s privacy. He mentioned that while he and Alia Bhatt want to shield Raha from the paparazzi, they also hope she doesn’t feel left out compared to her cousins, Taimur and Jeh, who are frequently photographed1. Ranbir humorously remarked that he hopes Raha doesn’t grow up to say, “Look how often Taimur and Jeh get clicked, but no one takes my pictures”.

How netizens are contributing to the paparazzi culture
In today’s social media-driven world, fans have become informal paparazzi, actively contributing to the invasion of celebrities’ privacy. With smartphones at their disposal, fans capture private moments of stars and share them widely, leading to the further normalization of paparazzi-like behavior.
Celebrities like Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma have been vocal about their desire for privacy, especially when it comes to their family. Despite their best efforts, moments from their personal lives, such as their vacations abroad, frequently surface on social media, often shared by eager fans who spot them. For example, while vacationing in London, the couple was photographed with their newborn son Akaay, even though they’ve consistently requested privacy for her. The images circulated rapidly online, creating debates around the fine line between admiration and intrusion.

Shah Rukh Khan and his daughter Suhana Khan were recently spotted in New York, sparking excitement during their pre-production work for their upcoming project, King. Indian content creator Bunty Bhaiya captured the father-daughter duo browsing shoes at a New Balance store, sharing the moment in a clip that racked up over a million views within 24 hours. While initial speculation suggested Shah Rukh was distant, Bunty clarified that the superstar was actually friendly and engaged with fans, putting rumors to rest and proving once again why he’s beloved by all.

In a recent incident earlier this year, Katrina Kaif and Vicky Kaushal were spotted in London when Katrina noticed someone secretly recording them. She appeared uncomfortable and asked Vicky to turn around. This video, which surfaced on Reddit, has fueled ongoing pregnancy rumours about Katrina, despite her team denying them.

In today’s digital world, the line between admiration and invasion of privacy is becoming increasingly blurred, especially when everyday fans assume the role of paparazzi. Social media has amplified this, with viral images and videos often surfacing from vacations or casual outings, making it even harder for celebrities to maintain a private life.
Leaking of images from the sets
In addition to fans capturing candid moments of celebrities in their personal lives, the growing presence of social media has also contributed to leaks from movie sets. With smartphones in hand, netizens often turn into paparazzi on film sets, capturing behind-the-scenes images and footage without permission. This has become a pressing issue for Bollywood, as these leaks can reveal crucial plot points, character looks, or entire scenes, damaging the surprise and buildup a film intends to create.
An example is Shah Rukh Khan’s blockbuster film Jawan. During the shoot, multiple unauthorized images and videos surfaced online, revealing key action sequences and even SRK’s look in the film. The viral spread of these clips created a frenzy, but it also caused concern among the filmmakers, who were trying to maintain secrecy around the project.

Similarly, when Alia Bhatt and Ranbir was shooting for Brahmāstra, some of her looks and moments from the set were leaked online, giving fans a sneak peek months before the film’s release. These leaks can diminish the excitement for trailers and official promotional content, as fans already have a glimpse of what’s to come.
Meanwhile, Ranbir is all set to play Lord Ram in Nitesh Tiwari’s ‘Ramayana’. Despite the secrecy, leaked photos and videos from the set surfaced online, showcasing the impressive ancient-style design. One photo shows a set with numerous pillars and wooden walls, topped with a dome resembling a temple, while a video highlights the grandeur of the towering pillars.

Film sets are typically high-security zones, but with fans or even crew members leaking content via social media, it’s challenging to contain information. Actors, filmmakers, and production houses often request fans and netizens to respect the sanctity of the shoot, urging them to refrain from sharing any unauthorized content. Shah Rukh Khan himself has commented on this issue, expressing frustration with leaks and urging fans to be patient for official releases.
This phenomenon underscores how the role of netizens in paparazzi culture extends beyond celebrity vacations or daily sightings. It now impacts film production directly, with leaks from sets threatening to spoil the magic of cinema before a movie even hits the screens. As social media continues to evolve, both celebrities and filmmakers are grappling with how to manage and mitigate these invasions of privacy and confidentiality.

In an effort to keep the plot and surprises of the much-awaited ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ movie under wraps, Marvel Studios had taken an interesting approach. Producer Wendy Jacobson revealed that they intentionally created fake leaks. This strategy is designed to mislead fans and prevent any real spoilers from getting out. Jacobson highlighted that any character appearances in the film are not just for fan service but are integral to the story. This means that every cameo or character inclusion has a significant role in the narrative, ensuring that the movie remains engaging and meaningful for the audience. This tactic of using fake leaks is quite clever, as it keeps the excitement and anticipation high while protecting the film’s secrets. It also shows how much effort the studio is putting into maintaining the element of surprise for fans.
The Paparazzi’s perspective
Being a paparazzo might seem like a simple gig, but it’s far from easy. Whether it’s scorching heat, freezing cold, or pouring rain, these photographers brave it all, hoping to be in the right place at the right time. Waiting hours for that perfect shot is just part of the job. Capturing exclusive images and scoops is even trickier, as each photo must be taken with care. Veteran photographer Raju Shelar recalled one such moment in conversation with ETimes earlier when he was caught by Salman Khan’s bouncers. “It happened while I was at Filmcity during the shoot of Sultan. I managed to snap a shot of Salman bhai’s look from the film but was soon caught by his bouncers and brought to him. Salman didn’t get angry. Instead, he sat me down and explained how much effort goes into perfecting his look for a film. He kindly asked me not to release the pictures—though, as he said, people are always eager to see them.”
Photojournalist Nilesh Wairkar, with over two decades of experience capturing exclusive shots from film sets, is no stranger to the challenges that come with the job. He had told ETimes in an old interview, “Sometimes, we get caught by bouncers while snapping photos,” he shares. Recalling one such incident, Nilesh says, “I had captured Kartik Aaryan’s look from Freddy, and the next time I was near him, his bouncer recognized me and confronted me about clicking the picture without permission. He told me to leave, but I found a spot to hide and still managed to get another shot.”
In an episode of Dumb Biryani, paparazzo Sneh Zala opened up about how Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt requested the paparazzi to respect their child Raha’s privacy. The couple was clear that they wanted to shield their daughter from the media, and the paparazzi respected their wishes by not capturing or sharing any photos of Raha’s face. When Ranbir and Alia eventually decided to reveal their daughter’s face, the image quickly went viral, causing a huge buzz online. Zala also recalled how the moment trended across social media platforms, creating quite the sensation, much like the frenzy that surrounded Taimur’s early years, even though Saif and Kareena never imposed any restrictions on the media.
So, does Indian paparazzi culture need a reset?
Absolutely! So, does Indian paparazzi culture need a reset? The answer is a resounding yes! While the relentless pursuit of celebrities keeps fans entertained and media outlets buzzing, it’s crucial to reassess where we draw the line. Celebrities, despite their fame, deserve their private moments without constant scrutiny. Balancing the public’s fascination with respect for personal privacy is essential. As the glittering world of Bollywood continues to captivate, let’s remember that even the brightest stars need a moment to shine on their own terms. In the end, respecting boundaries will ensure that the magic of celebrity lives on, without overshadowing the essence of their private lives.
It’s high time we balanced admiration with respect—because, let’s face it, privacy never goes out of style!