Veteran Bollywood actor Dharmendra was admitted to Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital a few days ago after experiencing breathing difficulties. On November 13, a video of the actor lying on a ventilator—while his emotional family members were seen by his side—went viral on social media.
This deeply personal and sensitive moment of the Deol family was secretly recorded by a hospital staff member. According to the latest reports, the individual who filmed and leaked the video has now been arrested. Police took the accused into custody on Thursday evening.
Ashoke Pandit, President of IFTDA, had also expressed strong displeasure over the insensitive media coverage of Dharmendra’s health and lodged an official complaint. In a statement issued by the association, IFTDA condemned the intrusive and irresponsible reporting by certain paparazzi.
In a letter to Senior Inspector of Police Sunil Jadhav, Pandit wrote: “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.”
The complaint highlighted that a few media handlers reportedly entered Dharmendra’s residence premises without consent and recorded visuals of his family members. These clips were circulated online, allegedly for “sensationalism and profit.” It added that the act amounted to a violation of privacy and dignity, stressing that such actions fall under offences relating to trespass, privacy invasion, and defamation.
Calling the behaviour “inhuman, unethical, and a gross violation of the right to privacy guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution of India,” Pandit urged the police to take strict action and set a precedent to deter similar incidents.
It is worth noting that after Dharmendra was hospitalised, several social media accounts and even some media platforms circulated false rumours about his death, which deeply upset the family. Fortunately, the actor has now been discharged and is back home.
