‘Muh pe aake camera lete hai’: Jackie Shroff schools paps over Dharmendra’s hospital coverage

Bollywood actor Jackie Shroff confronted the paparazzi at Mumbai airport on Friday, voicing his displeasure over the constant filming around veteran actor Dharmendra’s hospitalisation and discharge. His reaction came soon after Sunny Deol lost his cool at photographers stationed outside their Juhu residence.

Dharmendra returned home from Breach Candy Hospital on November 12 in an ambulance after several days of treatment. For the entire duration of his stay, paparazzi had camped outside the hospital gates, recording every visitor — from family members to industry colleagues.

Jackie, who has always shared a warm equation with the media, did not hold back this time. In a video shared online, he is seen stopping to address the photographers. “Tumlog bohot dhating karta hai. Kisi ke yaha aisa kuch hota hai toh tumlog nahi karna bhidu. Samaj gaya na baba log? Apne ghar pe kabhi kuch hoga toh… samajh jaa yaar. Muh pe aake camera lete hai,” he said, urging them to reflect on how such moments would feel if they happened in their own homes.

His words added to the growing criticism directed at the paparazzi over the past few days. On Thursday, several celebrities — including Karan Johar, Nikitin Dheer, Ameesha Patel, Farah Ali Khan and Madhur Bhandarkar — had publicly requested the media to maintain distance and allow the Deol family some privacy.

The backlash intensified after a video from inside Breach Candy Hospital surfaced on social media, showing Dharmendra lying on a bed surrounded by his family. Sunny and Bobby Deol stood close, while Prakash Kaur was seen breaking down. The clip spread quickly, raising concerns about medical privacy and the limits of celebrity coverage.

The 89-year-old actor was admitted after complaining of breathlessness and had been under medical observation for several days. While the family has not shared detailed updates, sources indicated that his condition stabilised enough for him to return home.

Amid the emotional strain surrounding Dharmendra’s health, Jackie’s remarks echoed a larger sentiment within the industry — that personal distress should not become public spectacle.

On the professional front, Dharmendra is expected to appear next in Ikkis, featuring Agastya Nanda.