Salman Khan slams paparazzi over inappropriate 'hip-shots' on Bigg Boss 20
Synopsis
Salman Khan used Bigg Boss 20's prime-time stage to call out paparazzi who photograph actresses from behind without consent — naming Saiee Manjrekar and Neha Dhupia as examples — and urged women to slap offenders on the spot. It is a rare, unusually blunt intervention from one of Bollywood's biggest names on a long-standing but under-addressed issue.
Key Takeaways
Salman Khan criticised paparazzi on Bigg Boss 20 's 'Weekend Ka Vaar' episode aired 20 September 2026 .
He targeted photographers who click 'hip-shots' of actresses from behind and post them with 'Guess who it is?' captions.
He named Saiee Manjrekar and Neha Dhupia as actresses who were visibly uncomfortable or who had fought against such photographs.
Salman urged actresses to physically retaliate — 'ghoom ke chamaat maaro' (turn around and slap them).
He claimed 90% of the women he knows never wanted such images and still do not.
The remarks have reignited debate about a formal code of conduct for paparazzi at Bollywood events.
Bollywood star Salman Khan used the 'Weekend Ka Vaar' episode of 'Bigg Boss 20' on 20 September 2026 to mount a sharp attack on paparazzi who click unsolicited photographs of actresses from behind and post them online with captions like 'Guess who it is?' — a practice he called 'disgusting'. The actor urged women in the industry to physically confront such photographers if they feel violated.
What Salman Said On Air
Taking aim at what he described as a widespread problem at celebrity events, Salman said, 'And then the one shot they take from behind, which none of the heroines like? There must be a few who say it's okay, I don't mind it. But what about those who don't like it?' He made clear that the absence of objection from some does not grant photographers a blanket licence.
He named specific incidents to drive the point home. 'I recently saw Saiee Manjrekar was so awkward with that. Neha Dhupia fought against it. My own niece, she was walking, and they kept clicking from behind. And what did the caption say? Guess who it is. Who are they to do this?' he said.
His Message to Actresses
Salman's advice to women who face this was unambiguous and delivered partly in Hindi. 'Jahan aisa hua, ghoom ke chamaat maaro. Bolna na apni maa behenon ka yeh shot lete ja, aur humko dikha,' he said — broadly translating to: 'When such a thing happens, just turn around and slap them. Ask them to click their mother or sister like this and show it to you.'
He added a pointed warning to photographers who continue the practice: 'Aur pata chal gaya mujhe ki kaun hai toh phir toh' — a veiled threat that he knows who they are. He noted that 90% of the women he knows, including those who are now mothers, never wanted such photographs and still do not.
Why This Moment Resonates
The outburst comes amid a growing conversation within Indian entertainment circles about boundaries between celebrity culture and invasive media coverage. Neha Dhupia had previously spoken out publicly against such photographs, while other actresses have flagged the normalisation of objectifying imagery on entertainment news platforms. Salman's use of Bigg Boss 20's prime-time platform to address the issue gives it significantly wider reach.
Notably, this is not the first time a prominent male actor has intervened on such issues — but the specificity of Salman's remarks, including naming individuals and calling for a physical response, is rare and is likely to reignite debate about the accountability of celebrity photographers in India.
What Happens Next
Industry observers will watch whether Salman's remarks prompt any formal push — by film bodies or individual celebrities — for a code of conduct governing paparazzi access at public events. Actresses who have previously stayed silent on the issue may now feel emboldened to speak, given the visibility of the platform and the seniority of the voice behind the call.
Point of View
Cited concrete incidents, and issued what amounts to a call for physical retaliation, all on one of Indian television's highest-rated programmes. Yet the irony is hard to miss: the same celebrity-paparazzi ecosystem that Salman is now criticising is one Bollywood has long tolerated and at times encouraged for promotional gain. The more meaningful question is whether this translates into industry-level action — a formal charter, restricted access protocols, or legal recourse — or whether it remains a viral moment that changes nothing structurally. Without institutional follow-through, a primetime rebuke, however forceful, rarely moves the needle on entrenched media culture.
NationPress
20 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Salman Khan say about paparazzi on Bigg Boss 20?
Salman Khan criticised photographers who take unsolicited photographs of actresses from behind and post them online with captions like 'Guess who it is?' He called the practice disgusting and urged women to physically confront such photographers, saying 'ghoom ke chamaat maaro' (turn around and slap them).
Who did Salman Khan name in his Bigg Boss 20 paparazzi remarks?
Salman named Saiee Manjrekar, saying she appeared visibly uncomfortable with such photographs, and Neha Dhupia, who had previously fought against the practice. He also mentioned his own niece as someone who was photographed in this manner without her consent.
Why is Salman Khan's statement on paparazzi significant?
It is rare for a male actor of Salman Khan's stature to publicly name specific actresses and incidents on a prime-time national platform. The remarks give mainstream visibility to a long-standing but under-addressed issue about consent and dignity in celebrity media coverage in India.
What is a 'hip-shot' in the context of Bollywood paparazzi?
A 'hip-shot' refers to photographs taken of actresses from behind without their knowledge or consent, typically at public events. Photographers then post these images on social media or entertainment portals, often with captions inviting readers to guess the identity of the person in the photograph.
Could Salman Khan's remarks lead to a formal paparazzi code of conduct in Bollywood?
Industry observers believe the remarks could embolden more actresses to speak out and may push film bodies to consider formal access restrictions or conduct guidelines for photographers at public events, though no such initiative has been announced as of the date of this report.
