As veteran actor Dharmendra recovers from a recent hospitalization, actor Saif Ali Khan has voiced his concerns regarding the media frenzy surrounding the event, drawing parallels to his own family's experience when his father, Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, was hospitalized. Dharmendra, the 89-year-old Bollywood icon, was admitted to Mumbai's Breach Candy Hospital after experiencing breathlessness but has since been discharged and is recuperating at home.
Khan, speaking to News 24 Online, called for stricter laws to protect families from what he described as a "brutal violation of privacy" during medical emergencies. He emphasized the urgent need for India to address this issue, highlighting the challenges faced by families already dealing with a crisis.
Recalling his family's experience, Khan stated, "We experienced a situation like this when Abba was in the hospital. We were constantly fobbing off unwanted attention while dealing with the crisis at hand". He noted that the relentless media scrutiny compounded the already difficult situation for his family.
The Deol family has also requested privacy during this time. In a statement, they urged the media and the public to "refrain from further speculation and to respect his and the family's privacy". The statement concluded with a reminder of Dharmendra's affection for his fans: "Please respect him because he loves you".
The media intrusion into Dharmendra's personal life has sparked outrage and criticism from other celebrities. Actor Nikitin Dheer, who recently lost his father, condemned the paparazzi, likening them to "vultures" in an Instagram post. Jewelry designer Farah Khan Ali also expressed her discontent on social media, highlighting the insensitivity towards public figures' families during personal tragedies. She questioned whether the public's right to know outweighs a person's right to privacy during a health crisis.
Adding to the controversy, a video showing private moments of the Deol family at Breach Candy Hospital was leaked online, further igniting the debate about privacy invasion. Reports indicate that the hospital is investigating the employee responsible for leaking the video.
Despite the health scare, Dharmendra is reportedly recovering well. His family is optimistic and planning a low-key celebration for his upcoming 90th birthday on December 8th. Hema Malini, Dharmendra's wife, stated that they are taking his recovery "one day at a time," focusing on creating a calm and peaceful environment for him.
Several Bollywood personalities have visited Dharmendra to show their support, including Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, and Aamir Khan. Salman Khan expressed his deep affection for Dharmendra, referring to him as his "father" and expressing hope for his recovery.
Dharmendra's health状况 began on October 31 when he complained of breathlessness. He was discharged from the hospital on November 12 and is currently under medical supervision at home.
