Manasi Parekh is worried about the blurring lines of privacy with the growing paparazzi culture in India. The actor’s concern comes in the backdrop of the increase in cases of public figures slamming photographers for crossing a line and invading their personal space — the most recent example of this being actor Alia Bhatt.

“Paparazzi culture in India is becoming like a big bubble that will, at some point, burst in our faces. This recent example of Alia Bhatt is proof of the fact that paps today are ready to do anything to get up, close and personal with stars,” says Parekh.

She adds, “I find it strange when stars go to the gym or a salon, [get clicked] and have to pretend as if they are okay with this invasion of privacy. Of course, there are actors who call paps themselves and then get clicked, to gain social media mileage. That benefits both the parties.”

The Uri: The Surgical Strike (2019) actor acknowledges that some actors are okay with getting photographed. “But what about those who haven’t signed up for it?” she asks.

“It’s all about getting engagement. If a starlet gets mileage for her skimpy clothes, others start dressing up like that, thinking paps will want to see more of that. So, it’s a circle. And since the culture is about voyeurism, there is no end to it,” she rues.

Having said that, Parekh hopes there is a way to bring this ongoing culture under control. “I really wish that with time, people are able to draw a line regarding the invasion of privacy and treat actors like humans, irrespective of their profession,” she concludes.