# Bollywood's Emotional Turmoil: Paparazzi Chaos During Dharmendra's Final Days and Sunny Deol's Raw Outburst **Imagine the frenzy outside a Mumbai hospital—cameras flashing relentlessly as rumors of a legend's death spread like wildfire.** That's the chaotic scene veteran Bollywood paparazzo Yogen Shah described during Dharmendra's health scare, revealing the high-stakes world of celebrity photography where one viral shot can make or break reputations.[1] Dharmendra, the iconic **He-Man** of Hindi cinema, faced a severe health crisis in late 2025, hospitalized at Breach Candy with respiratory issues starting October 31. False reports of his passing exploded across media, forcing photographers into a "mad scramble" for exclusive shots. Shah, a senior paparazzo, got candid about the pressure: teams stationed at the hospital and Deol residence, holding off posts until verification to protect credibility amid unverified "scoops" buzzing in WhatsApp groups.[1] Mumbai Police even set up barricades to control the mob, highlighting how paparazzi have evolved from tabloid hunters to Bollywood's publicity engine—yet walking a "thin line between journalism and intrusion."[1] The Deol family's agony peaked when **Sunny Deol**, the *Border 2* star, erupted in anger. Videos captured him storming toward photographers, pleading, "Paise chahiye tereko, kitne paise chahiye?" (How much money do you want?) during a private family moment immersing Dharmendra's ashes after his death on November 24 at age 89.[2][3] Earlier, post-hospital discharge, Sunny folded his hands outside their Juhu home, begging for "sharam" (shame) as cameras invaded their grief: "Aap ke ghar mein maa-baap hai, sharam nahi aati?" (Don't you have parents at home? No shame?).[6] He called them "shameless," echoing family distress over relentless coverage.[2] This sparked industry backlash. IFTDA president Ashoke Pandit filed a police complaint against "inhuman, unethical" paparazzi behavior, demanding strict action.[4] Actors like Vijay Varma, whose heart "broke" seeing Sunny plead for privacy, and Saif Ali Khan, labeling it a "brutal violation," called for restraint and stricter laws.[5] Even Nikitin Dheer branded them "vultures" after similar coverage of his father's passing.[4] Sunny's temper—likened by some to Jaya Bachchan's—stems from deep protectiveness, as fans rallied in support.[2] Yet paparazzi like Viral Bhayani defend their role: "We document what's in the public eye... The same people who troll us would be hitting refresh if we weren't there."[1] Dharmendra's crisis exposed Bollywood's love-hate with media: **we all love Dharamji**, but at what cost to privacy?
Paparazzi swarm during a celebrity health scare (Unsplash free stock image).
Citations
1.https://gulfnews.com/entertainment/dharmendra-health-scare-bollywood-paparazzo-says-cant-use-the-washroom-for-hours-in-mad-scramble-for-viral-shot-1.500343376
2.https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/angry-sunny-deol-confronts-paparazzi-for-filming-family-while-immersing-dharmendras-ashes-101764758426146.html
3.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5B8aNm-GvBQ
4.https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/dharmendra-health-update-legendary-actor-dharmendra-health-news-hema-malini-sunny-deol-bobby-deol-esha-deol-prakash-kaur-celebs-reaction/liveblog/125266019.cms
5.https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/dharmendra-health-live-update-legendary-actor-dharmendra-health-news-sunny-deol-bobby-deol-hema-malini-celebs-reaction/liveblog/125339670.cms
6.https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/sunny-deol-lashes-out-at-paparazzi-outside-home-after-dharmendras-hospital-discharge-aap-ke-ghar-mein-maa-baap-hai-sharam-nahi-aati-10362496/
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