Actor Neha Dhupia recently made headlines after confronting paparazzi over intrusive “back shots” at a public event in Mumbai. Now, days after the incident sparked conversations around celebrity privacy, the actor has clarified that she shares a positive relationship with photographers and appreciates the respect they have shown towards her family over the years.Speaking from London while promoting her international film ’52 Blue’, Neha reflected on how the paparazzi have largely respected the boundaries she has set, especially when it comes to her children.
Neha on her relationship with the paparazzi
The ‘De Dana Dan’ actor said she has always maintained a cordial and professional equation with photographers and acknowledged their support for her projects.“I have had a great relationship with the paps. They have been very respectful to me and understanding of the fact that my children need privacy.” She further shared that she often invites photographers to promotional events and appreciates the role they play in helping films and shows reach audiences.“I have been open about the same. When I’m shooting for ‘Double Date’, I do invite the paps and they show up. They help us circulate our show out there.”
Why Neha called out the photographers
At a recent event in Mumbai, Neha publicly objected to photographers capturing what she described as inappropriate “back shots.” The actor urged them to stop the practice and emphasised that celebrities deserve the same respect they extend to the media.“Yeh badtameezi se backshot kaun leta hai tum log me se? Kaun leta hai? Band karo.”“Mera nahi karna hai. Kisi ka nahi karna hai. Bol bol kar thak gaye hain. Bag utha kar, book utha kar, backward walking karke. Yeh sab nahi chalega abhi. Band karo yeh sab. Hum log bahut izzat se karte hai aap logon se baat. Mat karo.”(Who among you keeps taking these disrespectful back shots? Who is doing it? Stop it.”“Don’t do it to me. Don’t do it to anyone. We’re tired of repeating ourselves. Picking up bags, lifting books, walking backwards just to get those shots, all of this has to stop now. Stop doing it. We always speak to you with respect, and we expect the same in return. Please don’t do this.” )Her remarks quickly gained traction on social media, reigniting discussions about the boundaries between celebrity coverage and personal privacy.
Neha Dhupia talks about her international debut
During the same interaction, Neha also spoke about her international debut, ’52 Blue’, directed by Egyptian filmmaker Ali El Arabi and co-starring Adil Hussain. In the film, she portrays Lakshi, the mother of a young footballer from Kerala.Discussing the role, the actor said that becoming a mother in real life helped her connect with the emotional depth required for the character.“Being a mother helped me prepare for this role because I had to deal with a lot of maternal pain as a character. So whether it’s one’s loss, leaving, longing, all of that, unfulfilled dreams, and then I think that if this film was offered to me seven years ago when I was not a mom, I don’t think I would be able to give it so many layers.”She added that motherhood had fundamentally changed her understanding of grief and emotional loss.“Whereas once you become a mom, it changes completely. It’s because then loss and pain, you know, affect your core to a point where you almost become numb. So there is a part of me that had to be portrayed.”
About ’52 Blue’
’52 Blue’ premiered as the opening film at the London Indian Film Festival on July 10. The film stars Neha Dhupia alongside Adil Hussain and follows the journey of a young footballer from Kerala and his family. While the film is currently being showcased at international film festivals, its India release date is yet to be announced.
