Paid Candid photos are Frankenstein Monster for celebrities

Recently, celebrities were caught off guard by their Frankenstein monster. Almost every big name in Bollywood came out in support of Alia Bhatt’s privacy without delving deeply into the cause.

Alia Bhatt gets sympathy

Alia Bhatt was in her home when a few photographers jumped on to her neighbour’s terrace and clicked some photos of her. It was later published as a candid photo of the celebrity. Alia Bhatt took to Instagram to register her protest. Celebrities like Karan Johar, Sushmita Sen, Anushka Sharma, Neetu Kapoor, Janhvi Kapoor, and even Zeenat Aman came out in support of her.

It is not the first time such an incident has happened. It has happened with Virushka too. A few days ago, a woman was trying to molest Aditya Roy Kapur.A few days ago, a woman was trying to molest Aditya Roy Kapur.

Here, the larger question is about responsibility. There is absolutely no doubt that such acts are immoral, illegal, and outright condemnable. It invades people’s right to privacy enshrined under Article 21. It takes bodily autonomy away from people. Anyone clicking these pictures either has no sense of respect or is doing it deliberately for financial brownie points.

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Being the devil’s advocate

Looking at it from the devil’s side, one can question what defines “right” when it comes to the private moments of celebrities. Celebrities are celebrities because they are known for something other than their own profession. For film stars, it is tough to create an iron-tight definition of a private moment. One could argue that their photos should only be taken when they are at work or when their job requires it. Another avenue for their photos would be film promotions or similar events.

Okay, so now we have a boundary line. Clicking on any photo outside their designated area of professionalism is unethical and breaches their right to privacy. Celebrities should take strong objection to any other kind of photo to establish their boundaries, just like Alia did here.

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Blurring the line between personal and candid moments

Then how would you defend photo grabs of celebrities in their other personal moments? Anyone coming out of the airport is also having a private moment. Anyone visiting a mandir, church, or dargah for prayer is also engaged in some private stuff. A celebrity visiting or coming out of the gym or sitting in a stadium to enjoy a cricket match is also a personal moment. Are they okay with having their photos grabbed at these events?

The answer is yes. They are not only okay, but in some mysterious ways, photographers are able to click the most stunning, gorgeous, and picture-perfect photos too. Some say all these photos are planned and PR agencies are paid hefty sums to make you and me hooked on the “private” moments of these celebrities.

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If that’s the case, then why this outcry? Granted, a personal home is a private space, but if someone hires videographers to advertise their house in the name of love towards the public, the public will drop by for the sake of admiration.

This doesn’t mean trespassers won’t be punished. But with celebrities, trespassers don’t come with a heavily armed bandit army. By drawing an appropriate boundary, they can be kept at bay.