The Indian Film and Television Directors' Association (IFTDA) has filed a formal police complaint against certain paparazzi and online media platforms, accusing them of "inhuman" and "unethical" behavior in their coverage of veteran actor Dharmendra's recent health condition. IFTDA President Ashoke Pandit lodged the complaint, expressing strong condemnation for the intrusive reporting on Dharmendra's health.
The complaint, addressed to the Senior Inspector of Juhu Police Station, highlights instances where paparazzi and digital media accounts allegedly breached the actor's privacy. According to Pandit, some individuals entered Dharmendra's residence and recorded footage and images of his family members without their consent. These visuals were then circulated online, sparking outrage and raising serious questions about media ethics.
IFTDA's complaint asserts that the paparazzi's actions constitute a gross violation of privacy, trespassing, and potentially defamation under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Information Technology (IT) Act. Pandit has urged the Mumbai Police to take strict legal action against those responsible and to set a strong precedent to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future. He emphasized that film personalities are not public property, especially during moments of emotional distress.
The complaint was shared publicly on IFTDA's social media accounts, with a caption condemning the "disgraceful and unethical conduct of certain paparazzi" and calling for immediate corrective steps to protect artists from similar intrusions.
Dharmendra was recently discharged from the hospital on November 12 and is currently receiving treatment at home. False reports of his death circulated online prior to the official announcement of his discharge, causing distress among fans and the film fraternity and prompting clarifications from his daughter, Esha Deol, and wife, Hema Malini. Esha Deol clarified that her father is stable and recovering. Dharmendra's son, Sunny Deol, also appealed to the paparazzi to act sensitively and respect the family's privacy during this difficult time.
Several film industry figures have voiced their disapproval of the insensitive media coverage. Designer Farah Khan Ali criticized the lack of humanity in the reporting. Actor Nikitin Dheer likened the paparazzi's behavior to being "encircled by vultures". Veteran actress Jaya Prada expressed her concern and wished for Dharmendra's recovery.
IFTDA's move to file a police complaint underscores the growing concern within the film industry regarding the intrusive nature of paparazzi culture and the need to protect the privacy and dignity of artists. The association hopes that this action will serve as a deterrent and prompt a more responsible and ethical approach to media coverage of celebrities, especially during vulnerable times.
