In a powerful condemnation of media ethics, actor Nikitin Dheer has launched a scathing attack against paparazzi culture following insensitive coverage surrounding veteran actors Dharmendra's hospitalization and Jeetendra's recent fall. The outburst comes just weeks after Dheer lost his father, veteran Mahabharat actor Pankaj Dheer, making him particularly sensitive to how media handles vulnerable moments.
The Instagram Outburst: "Encircled by Vultures"
Taking to his Instagram stories on Thursday, Nikitin Dheer expressed deep disappointment with what he called "despicable" behavior by paparazzi. "I lost a piece of my heart recently and witnessed firsthand how despicable the so-called paparazzi can be," he wrote in an emotional note.
The actor didn't mince words when describing his experience, stating, "It doesn't feel like you're talking to fellow human beings, it feels like you're encircled by vultures." This strong language reflects the growing frustration among Bollywood personalities about the boundaries of media coverage.
Exploiting Vulnerability for Social Media Engagement
Nikitin specifically referenced two recent incidents that have sparked outrage across the industry. The first involved veteran actor Jeetendra tripping and falling at Zarine Khan's prayer meet, with multiple videos circulating widely on social media platforms.
"I lost a lot of respect for them when I saw the way they filmed Shri Jeetendra and used his vulnerability for views," Dheer expressed. He then turned his attention to the even more concerning case involving Dharmendra, where a video allegedly filmed inside the ICU of Breach Candy Hospital showed the ailing actor on a hospital bed surrounded by family members.
The actor posed a poignant question about societal values: "Now again, the way they are behaving when Shri Dharmendra is unwell — it's just sad. As a society, is likes and views all that's left of us?"
Growing Celebrity Backlash and Legal Consequences
Nikitin Dheer isn't alone in his condemnation. Earlier the same day, prominent industry figures including Ameesha Patel, Karan Johar, and Madhur Bhandarkar also called out paparazzi for crossing ethical boundaries and urged media outlets to respect the Deol family's privacy.
The situation reached a boiling point when a visibly emotional Sunny Deol was seen losing his temper at photographers stationed outside their Mumbai residence. This occurred after the distressing hospital video surfaced online, showing Dharmendra under medical care.
According to reports, the hospital staff member who secretly filmed the footage was later arrested for breaching patient confidentiality and privacy protocols, indicating the seriousness of the violation.
The controversy around Dharmendra's health had earlier escalated when some portals falsely reported his death on November 11, prompting sharp reactions from Hema Malini and Esha Deol, who condemned the misinformation and requested media to act responsibly.
Aftermath and Emotional Toll on Families
Following Dharmendra's discharge from the hospital, Hema Malini revealed to Subhash K Jha that the past few days had been emotionally exhausting for the family. "It has not been an easy time for me. Dharamji's health is a matter of great concern for us. His children are sleepless," she shared.
Malini emphasized the family's relief that Dharmendra was back home, stating, "I can't afford to be weak — there are too many responsibilities. But yes, I am happy he's back home. We are relieved he is out of hospital. He needs to be among the people he loves."
Nikitin Dheer concluded his emotional appeal by questioning the basic humanity behind such coverage: "Such a demise of humanity. Aise samay logon ka tamasha mat banao. How can you be so insensitive to others? Try and understand what people are going through." While acknowledging that his words might not make a difference, he emphasized that one cannot simply sit and watch such nonsense keep happening.
