On the heels of the high‑profile hospitalization of Bollywood legend Dharmendra and the recent passing of Zarine Khan, the world of celebrity coverage found itself under sharp scrutiny. While the public nature of their lives ensures constant media attention, there comes a point when reportage crosses a line into intrusion. This week, designer‑daughter Farah Khan Ali did just that — she spoke out.
Dharmendra’s health scare and the subsequent wave of death rumours triggered intense paparazzi activity around him and his family. Meanwhile, Farah’s own family was grieving Zarine Khan’s demise and navigating the emotional terrain of a funeral and final rites. Against this backdrop, Farah voiced her frustration over what she describes as a loss of empathy in media coverage.
Here is what Farah Khan Ali wrote on social media:“My mother passed away 6 days ago and there were some here who were more interested in why she chose to be cremated instead of giving condolences. Dharm Uncle is in hospital and a video of his personal family goes viral. Are we as a nation so insensitive to people. Don’t public figures also have families that have feelings? What happened to humanity? Why does every Imbecile out here have an opinion on how others should lead their lives. Tragedy strikes all. When it’s your turn and trust me it will be, there will be others like you hurting you like you hurt us 🙏”
Her message underscores the emotional cost of celebrity – not just for the stars, but for their families who are expected to be constantly “on display”. The Deol family’s own plea for privacy became even more resonant when Sunny Deol publicly addressed paparazzi at his father’s home.
The families of public figures regularly deal with physical and mental stress during crises. When every moment is captured, every frame analysed — the human being behind the image can feel devalued.Farah’s criticism is timely because it reminds us of the thin line between transparency and trespass. A family dealing with loss and illness deserves a moment behind closed doors, a chance to grieve without lenses flashing, without videos leaking, without commentary demanding answers to private decisions.