Jeetendra’s fall caught on camera during Zarine Khan’s prayer meet; netizens question media ethics

Veteran actor Jeetendra faced a brief mishap on Monday, November 10, while attending the prayer meet of late Zarine Khan, wife of actor-filmmaker Sanjay Khan, in Mumbai. The 83-year-old actor lost balance as he walked toward the venue entrance and fell to the ground before nearby attendees rushed to help him stand up.

The incident, captured by photographers stationed outside, quickly made its way online. In the video, Jeetendra can be seen momentarily slipping but managing to recover with assistance. Despite the fall, he appeared composed and even smiled afterward, reassuring those around him.

However, what followed stirred mixed reactions across social media. While many fans expressed concern for the veteran star’s well-being, others criticised the media for filming such a private and emotional moment. Several users called the footage “insensitive,” questioning whether constant camera presence has blurred the line between coverage and intrusion. One user wrote, “This was a moment of grief, not a red-carpet event. Why record everything?” Another comment read, “He’s 83, and still smiling through it — respect, but the media needs to show some restraint.”

The prayer meet was held in memory of Zarine Khan, who passed away on November 7 at her Mumbai home after a prolonged illness. She was 81. Her funeral took place the same day, with her son Zayed Khan performing the last rites.

Several celebrities from the film fraternity, including Rani Mukerji, Hrithik Roshan, Saba Azad, Aly Goni, and Jasmin Bhasin, were seen arriving to offer condolences to the bereaved Khan family.

Zarine Khan, a well-known interior designer and former model, is survived by her husband Sanjay Khan and their four children — Sussanne Khan, Simone Arora, Farah Ali Khan, and Zayed Khan.

While the gathering was meant to honour Zarine’s memory, the viral video of Jeetendra’s fall has sparked a wider conversation about media sensitivity, with many urging photographers to draw a line between public interest and personal dignity.