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Sneaking into the private lives of celebrities is de riguer in the western countries. Exposing Bollywood secrets is gaining momentum here and paparazzi journalism seems to have found its illegitimate place. Filming celebs in compromising and awkward positions. The competition of 24/7 news channels keeps them hounding the stars and sometimes even look-alikes are used to circulate and tarnish the image of established stars like the case of Mallika Sherawat and Riya Sen. Recently, Smriti Irani's miscarriage was used as a full blown article while it's a highly personal issue.

Hidden or candid cameras and mobile phone cameras have become the bane of celebrities and boon of the wannabes who stand to benefit by this culture. For them it's a passport to the hall of fame and recognition, albeit five-minutes.

Have the publicity-hungry stars brought it upon themselves by letting them be photographed? Gita Hari asks some people from tellywood for their opinions.

APARNA TILAK : I think it is a double-edged sword since in the initial stages wannabe actors hound the media and then after they become famous, the paparazzi hounds them. Both need each other, so neither should complain." But there are certain times when even the most celebrated person should be left alone, for instance something very personal, but unfortunately it doesn't work that way and for the media that makes interesting cover page stories.