Female stars express concern over insensitive paparazzi behavior.
Several female celebrities have voiced their apprehensions about being photographed inappropriately by certain members of the paparazzi. Actress Janhvi Kapoor recently urged photographers to avoid “galat angles” or improper angles while clicking her pictures. However, unflattering images continued to surface online.
Nora Fatehi, too, had earlier lamented that some shutterbugs tend to zoom into body parts, making her uncomfortable. Mrunal Thakur disclosed how her parents felt uneasy seeing certain photos of her published online. She said she had to counsel the paparazzi about drawing a line and respecting one’s identity and dignity.
Veteran photographer Yogen Shah expressed support for celebrities voicing their grievances. He said while most photographers are aware of boundaries, some are desperate to grab eyeballs and click improperly due to the competitive pressures of social media engagements.
Shah remarked that publication guidelines keep reputed lenses in check, but not all in the field adhere to such norms. He agreed that stars must feel secure during media interactions, but paparazzi services also require fulfillment. He opined that a balanced approach and mutual respect are needed from both sides.
The issue has reignited the debate around invasive coverage of female celebrities. While they welcome media attention generally, unwanted objectification remains a concern.
Most emphasize the need for sensitivity and discretion rather than total bans, which aren’t pragmatic. Dialogue and self-regulation could help address troublesome practices.
