To The Paparazzi: Alia, Anushka, Or Jaya Bachchan, Don’t Click Pictures Without Consent!

“Lo lag gayi law and order ki” said Arjun Kapoor in the movie Ishaqzaade and this statement has proved to be relevant in many real-life incidents, the most recent one being, the media invading the right to privacy of the actress Alia Bhatt.

The right to privacy is recognized as a fundamental human right in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Act, of 1948. A person is inherently entitled to human rights simply because they are human.

Although, since the profession of celebrities demands them to be a public figure, we cannot consider ourselves free to violate their privacy and basic rights.

“Are you kidding me? I was at my house having a perfectly normal afternoon sitting in my LIVING ROOM when I felt something watching me… I looked up and saw two men on the terrace of my neighbouring building with a camera right at me!” she further added, “In what world is this okay and allowed? This is a gross invasion of someone’s privacy! There’s a line you just cannot cross, and it’s safe to say all lines were crossed today!” 

“Ye koi jagah hai photo lene ki?”(is this a place to click pictures) as the actress Jaya Bachchan would have said.

However, this is not the first time the media crossed the boundary between personal and professional with public figures, especially celebrities.

Media, a serial offender

Actress Anushka Sharma and Indian cricketer Virat Kohli have always tried to refrain from getting their daughter’s pictures clicked and published online. Despite repeated requests from the couple’s end, the media on many occasions have tried to click her pictures and circulated them on social media.

Never miss real stories from India's women.

Register Now

In response to one such incident, the actress commented “Seems like the Times group knows what’s better for kids than their parents themselves as they can’t stop clicking and posting photos despite being requested repeatedly. Learn something from other media houses and paparazzi.” on the publication’s Instagram post.

Another incident when the media audaciously invaded a celebrity’s privacy was with the actress Rhea Chakrobarty after the demise of the actor Sushant Singh Rajput. The actor’s family filed a complaint against Chakrobarty, the media kept track of her every step.

Consent, consent and consent!

After hearing such incidents, the only word that comes across my mind is ‘why?’.

Why would you want to invade someone’s personal space only because it will be ‘masala news’ or to seek some ‘content’?

While many fans feel deeply connected to various celebrities and many of their admirers even worship them, it only makes sense for them to know more about their favourite star to share a closer bond. However, this blurs the line between personal and professional.

We the consumers of the entertainment industry need to realize there is s steady supply of these photographs and videos of celebs because we demand to know about celebs and their lifestyles. We are not entitled to have a glimpse into anyone’s private life

Jaya Bachchan has repeatedly asked not to be photographed without consent

Although the veteran actress Jaya Bachchan is known for her strained relationship with the media, I personally find her concern to be genuine. When asked about her angry encounters with the paparazzi in interviews, she always expressed that she hated being photographed without consent.

And honestly, I don’t think anyone should be. I, too, get infuriated when my friends or sister start taking my pictures or videos without consent.

On her granddaughter Navya Nanda’s Podcast, ‘What the hell Navya’, she said, “I despise the people who interfere in your personal life and fill their stomachs by selling those products. I hate it, I’m disgusted with such people. I always tell them, I say, ‘Aapko sharam nahi aati hai (Don’t you feel ashamed?)’”

In what world is it okay, to violate a person’s privacy? Just because celebrities are working in the entertainment industry, doesn’t allow paparazzi to climb into their personal spaces for photographs!

Image source: From Alia Bhatt’s Instagram, What the hell Navya, edited on CanvaPro

Comments