Top-angle video footage of Katrina Kaif making her way through waist-deep water at the Maha Kumbh Mela flooded social media and news channels last week. Another video that went viral was Kaif emerging from a dip with a man saying, “Ye mera bhai aur mein, aur ye rahi Katrina Kaif,” as moves the camera from his face to Kaif.

Soon outrage emerged about the angle at which the video was shot, and the criticism grew when throughout the day our screens were littered with drone footage of Kaif being pursued in the river by a horde of men—a scene that looked eerily like wildlife channels’ aerial footage of hunter and hunted.

The video saw comments like, “This is terrible. How are people so shameless?” and “Punya karne gaye the, ek aur paap kar aaye” (they went to do good and ended up sinning). The debate soon spiralled into two factions—how much can/should a celebrity be okay with, and on the other hand, the view that this is the price of fame.

Actor Ronit Roy, who has been providing security for Bollywood actors for the last 25 years, says celebs have to wise up about how they operate in public spaces and that the cost of fame is the attention they receive. “If a celeb is out in public there is always a chance of invasion of personal space for a selfie or whatever. We have to understand that for somebody who suddenly spots a huge star, it’s a great moment and they want to record it for perpetuity,” Roy tells us over the phone. 

What if a celebrity is having a bad day, however? “They may not want a photograph and this is why celebrities have a team of security professionals called the close protection officers who are responsible for your immediate security. If the celeb does not want their personal space to be breached, they must instruct their security to that effect,” he says.

In situations like the Maha Kumbh, Roy insists that actors/celebs need to be more prepared. “If somebody comes through my door, that is invasion. But if I go to the market I cannot be held responsible for how people in the market react,” he adds.

So how do people who work with actors and celebs manage? What do they think about the debate? Radhika Nihalani, Founder & CEO of Think Ink Communications & Think Talkies, has worked with celebrities including Aditya Roy Kapur for over two decades, and talks about their role as a shield for a celebrity and a mediator for a fan.

“Of course, celebrities are used to being constantly in the public eye—especially today where everyone has a camera and almost everything gets photographed and is out there for public consumption. We, in a way, act like the bridge between fans, media and celebrities. We walk that tightrope to ensure that fans get their moment with the celebrities but the boundaries of their space aren’t crossed. Celebrities are as human as you and I and we all must never forget that.”

Their biggest worry might surprise you—“The biggest challenge is to ensure that there is no harm caused to the fans even if some are being overbearing,” says Nihalani.

Parul Parmar, founder of New Narrative Consultancy, who has previously managed Ranveer Allahbadia, says, “The biggest challenge in ensuring a celebrity’s physical safety is the unpredictability of human behaviour; add to it the celebrities’ hyper-visibility these days and you’ve got a possible storm waiting to hit you! You can plan as meticulously as you’d want but a single determined individual or an unexpected crowd surge can upend everything. I’ve encountered situations where fans bypass barriers, or when obsessive behaviour escalates into credible threats. Technology adds another layer; real-time location leaks on social media can turn a quiet outing into a safety nightmare within seconds,” says Parul. 

She recalls an incident where all her experience was put to the test, “During the Dabangg 1 promotions in Bengaluru, Sonakshi Sinha and Salman Khan got swarmed by a rowdy crowd so bad, that even security couldn’t handle it, and it was chaos for everyone. The actors, too, were hurt.”

Kushal Gulab, a senior journalist who started her career in entertainment and covered stars like Kajol and Madhuri Dixit, talks about a time when even journalists had a better sense of boundaries. “We could talk to the stars and there was mutual respect. You could go to Film City and walk into five film sets and get your news for the day and the next, but now it’s a different story.” 

As for fan behaviour, she recalls, “People were crazy then as well, no doubt; but that was sheer love. Now what I gather is that the fans almost feel entitled. Entitled to take a selfie, for a hug, for the attention and love of an actor. Earlier if you didn’t get an autograph it meant just disappointment, nothing more. Today they feel they deserve a selfie.”

Parmar remarks, “Maybe the solution lies in adaptability—like maintaining a tight-knit team that can pivot instantly, leveraging real-time intel, and building relationships with law enforcement or venue staff ahead of time. Staying one step ahead of the craziness is what we aim for, because in this job, craziness is the only thing you can bet on.”

So what advice do they give to a distraught actor/celebrity? Roy believes in tough love. “Many celebs have made mistakes in terms of their security despite our advice. So I have a talk with them if I feel they have not understood the situation or our security strategy. I think today’s celebs are kinder to their fans and it might take time but they are always grateful,” says Roy.

Parmar on the other hand builds more of a community for the celeb. “The emotional toll on celebrities can be immense compared to us considering they’re facing constant exposure. Many lean on trusted inner circles, therapists, or structured downtime to process it all. I’ve seen first-hand how they develop resilience, often compartmentalizing their public and private selves,” she says.

To all the celebs/actors, bear with us, until we grow and learn to be better fans… XOXO

Actor Kubbra Sait recently visited the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj and soaked in festive vibes. “Being there and feeling different energies, and being with people from all over the globe, is a feeling beyond description. We get to see one India, one world at a place. Once you take a dip in the Ganga, you are full of gratitude. It has nothing to do with religion or which part of the country you come from. It’s a spiritual fair! Anyone who has a hunger of knowledge, curiosity, and energy must go there,” she tells us.

Explaining what drew her there, Sait adds, “This will happen once in my lifetime, and it’s something that is not divisive, but unifying in nature. We talk so much about unity, and when you get such an opportunity, then you need to embrace it. It is an opportunity where you get to feel from within — not from the mind.”

The actor, who has projects such as The Trial (2023) and Dolly Kitty Aur Woh Chamakte Sitare (2020) to her credit, agrees that there are too many people around and it’s chaotic, but “wahan apko shanti mil jaati hai, which is amazing.”

Meeting with sadhus and nagas was a different experience for her. “It was very new for me. I have only seen them in photos and videos, but here I saw them up close and personally. I had an opportunity to meet them, and the kind of tapasya they have done is incredible. It was a great learning experience.”

Being from the glamour industry came in handy for her. “I found immense love and respect. I went to the Kinnar Akhara (transgender ascetic group), but it was closed, and they were not letting me in. So, a fan came forward and told them I am the one who played Kukku (a transgender character in the OTT series Sacred Games), and I was allowed in. So, I got the entry because of my work. Also, I am so grateful to the policemen, government, and volunteers who are helping people achieve their dream,” Sait ends.