Bollywood veteran superstar Dharmendra has reportedly been on a ventilator for the past few days. Following the news of his health condition, paparazzi have been stationed outside both his residence and the hospital where he was admitted. He was discharged on November 12 and taken home for further treatment.
Earlier in the week, on November 11, several media outlets erroneously announced his demise and reported extensively on it. In reaction, Ashoke Pandit, President of the Indian Film & Television Directors’ Association (IFTDA), has filed a police complaint against the unverified paparazzi for breaching Dharmendra’s privacy and decency.
The complaint, addressed to Senior Inspector of Police Mr. Sunil Jadhav, states: “Dear Sir, I, Ashoke Pandit, Hon. President of the Indian Film & Television Directors’ Association (IFTDA), wish to lodge a formal complaint against certain unverified and scrupulous paparazzi and online media handlers who have crossed all limits of decency and ethics in the recent coverage related to the illness of Padma Bhushan, Shri Dharmendra Ji, one of the most respected legends of Indian cinema.”
It continues, “It has come to our attention that certain paparazzi and digital media accounts—particularly one handle operating—have breached the privacy by entering the premises of Shri Dharmendra Ji’s residence and recorded footage and images of his family members without consent. These visuals have been circulated publicly for sensationalism and profit, without any concern for legality, decency, or emotional distress caused to the family.”
The complaint asserts, “This act is inhuman, unethical, and a gross violation of the right to privacy guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution of India. It is not merely a moral failure but a criminal offence involving unauthorized trespass, invasion of privacy, and defamation under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Information Technology Act.”
Moreover, Pandit urges police to take stringent action against those responsible for this disgraceful conduct: “As the President of IFTDA, representing the collective voice of the film and television community, I strongly urge your department to initiate strict action against those responsible for this shameful conduct. It is imperative that a strong precedent be set so that such violations are not repeated in the future.”
He further emphasizes, “Our film personalities are not commodities—they are human beings who deserve basic dignity and respect, especially during times of personal distress. The continued harassment and intrusion by such elements not only harms individuals but also tarnishes the integrity of Indian media and journalism as a whole.”
Pandit concluded by requesting urgent investigation: “We request you to investigate the matter urgently, identify the perpetrators, and take appropriate legal action to safeguard the privacy and safety of Shri Dharmendra Ji and his family, and by extension, the rights of all artists in the Indian film fraternity.”
The IFTDA shared the complaint letter on social media, condemning the unethical conduct of certain paparazzi and stating that a formal police complaint has been filed, demanding strict action.
On November 12, Dharmendra’s daughter and actress Esha Deol had to release a statement addressing the paparazzi, clarifying her father’s health status and putting an end to the death rumors. She took to social media, writing, “The media seems to be in overdrive and spreading false news. My father is stable & recovering. We request everyone to give our family privacy. Thank you for the prayers for papa’s speedy recovery. Esha Deol. (sic)”
On the morning of November 13, Dharmendra’s elder son Sunny Deol was seen talking to the paparazzi outside their home, urging them to be sensitive and avoid creating chaos during this challenging time for the family. With folded hands, he asked them to behave like humans and not be insensitive.
