Senior paparazzo Varinder Chawla has publicly criticised Bollywood actor Sunny Deol for his abusive rant directed at photographers during the final days of his father, veteran star Dharmendra's illness. Chawla compared Sunny's temperament to that of actor-politician Jaya Bachchan, labelling both as "angry people."
The Incident That Sparked the Controversy
Days before Dharmendra's passing, a video surfaced showing Sunny Deol at his Juhu residence, folding his hands and then launching into a verbal tirade against the paparazzi. He was captured saying, "Aapke ghar mein maa-baap, bachche hain? Sharam nahi aati? Ch**iyo ki tarah video bana rahe ho." This clip prompted significant backlash, including from members within the film fraternity.
Chawla, addressing the incident, clarified that his team was maintaining a respectful distance. "The paparazzi were at least 20 to 30 feet away from their home. They were just doing their jobs," he stated. He explained their intent was to show the public the outpouring of love and support from Bollywood celebrities for the ailing legend, a practice they have followed for years.
Defending the Paparazzi's Role and Seeking Respect
Chawla expressed frustration at being made a scapegoat for internal family issues. He pointed out that a separate, highly private video of the family crying next to Dharmendra's hospital bed, which was allegedly leaked by a staff member, was unfairly blamed on the media. "I don't know what your problems are internally, but you take it out on us? Everyone just dumps their frustrations on us," he lamented.
The senior photographer emphasised that there was a more civil way to handle the situation. He highlighted that Sunny Deol has a public relations team that is in regular contact with the media. "You could've just requested through your PR that you're a bit emotionally down and need privacy, we would've stepped aside. When have we not?" Chawla questioned, suggesting the abusive language was entirely unnecessary.
Proactive Steps Taken by the Media
Chawla revealed that even before seeing Sunny's viral video, he had taken action after filmmaker Karan Johar posted an Instagram Story urging media restraint. "I immediately called up my team and asked them to not go to Dharmendra's residence any longer. Let them have some privacy," he said. He publicly announced this decision on his own Instagram Story, and his team complied until the news of Dharmendra's demise broke.
This controversy echoes recent sentiments expressed by Jaya Bachchan, whom Chawla referenced. In an interview with Mojo Story, Bachchan had sharply criticised certain paparazzi, questioning their credentials and the disrespectful comments they often make. She distanced herself from them, stating she has "zero equation" with such individuals, while reaffirming her deep respect for legitimate journalists, a profession her father was part of.
The incident underscores the ongoing, tense relationship between celebrities seeking privacy during personal crises and the media's drive to cover public interest stories. It raises questions about boundaries, communication, and mutual respect in the digital age.
