The veteran choreographer turned YouTuber rebuked photographers on a Mumbai street, invoking Salman Khan’s Bigg Boss remarks as she demanded they stop shooting her from behind.
Farah Khan didn’t wait for a press conference to make her point – she stopped a crew of paparazzi on a Mumbai boulevard, spun around and shouted, “Salman bhai ne bola na, peeche se nahi lene ka.”
The filmmaker‑turned‑YouTuber then added a curt “Turn karo,” making it clear she wasn’t about to stand for the intrusive back‑shots that have become a staple of celebrity coverage.
Her outburst comes just days after Salman Khan used his Bigg Boss 20 platform to call out the same practice. In the September 20 episode of Weekend Ka Vaar, the star listed “hip shots”, “taangon ke shots” and the dreaded “back shot” as the three most uncomfortable angles for women on set. He even cited his niece, Saiee Manjrekar, and Neha Dhupia as examples of actresses who have been caught in the frame from behind.
Farah’s on‑the‑spot reaction mirrors a growing chorus of Bollywood women demanding privacy. Manushi Chhillar was recently seen pleading with photographers to delete a back‑shot, while Neha Dhupia has publicly asked the press to stop the practice, questioning, “Yeh badtameezi se backshot kaun leta hai?”
The incident was captured and shared by the entertainment page Telly Talk, where the clip quickly racked up likes and comments. Viewers noted the irony of a star who has spent decades in the limelight now taking a stand against the very lens that has chronicled her career.
Industry insiders say the backlash could force a shift in how media houses brief their crews. “If a senior like Farah Khan is willing to call them out on the street, it sends a signal to the whole ecosystem,” said a senior editor who asked to remain unnamed. “The narrative is changing from ‘any shot is fair game’ to ‘consent matters.’”
Salman’s earlier remarks on Bigg Boss were not just a one‑off rant. He described the back‑shot as “disgusting” and urged women who feel uncomfortable to “stand up for themselves.” His call to “ghoom ke chamaat maaro” – a colourful way of saying “turn around and shout” – resonated with many who have felt the sting of a camera hovering over their shoulders.
For now, the paparazzi community appears divided. Some photographers defended the practice as “standard industry procedure,” while others posted apologies, promising to be more mindful.
The episode adds another layer to the ongoing debate about celebrity privacy in India’s star‑obsessed culture. As more women speak up, the question remains: will the press adapt, or will the chase for the perfect back‑angle continue?
What’s next?
If the conversation gains traction, we may see formal guidelines from film bodies or even a court‑ordered code of conduct for photographers. Until then, expect more on‑street confrontations, especially when high‑profile figures like Farah Khan decide enough is enough.
*Farah Khan’s stance may be a turning point, but only time will tell if the paparazzi world will respect the new line drawn.
This story is developing as more reactions pour in from the industry and the public.
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