Salman Khan Warns Paparazzi Over Inappropriate Shots at IIFA 2027 Press Conference
Salman Khan has once again confronted the paparazzi over their photography practices. At the IIFA 2027 press conference in Mumbai on Thursday, the Bollywood superstar paused while posing for pictures and told photographers to stop taking inappropriate photographs of actors — particularly female actors — from behind. "Peechhe ka yaad rakh lena. Itni izzat toh de hi sakte ho sab log," he said, as reported by The Indian Express, NDTV and ABP Live — roughly, "Remember not to click from the back. You can at least give us this much respect."
Doubling down on a months-long criticism
This is not the first time Salman has raised the issue. He strongly expressed his displeasure on Bigg Boss 20 in September, when actor Neha Dhupia appeared as a guest, criticising photographers who deliberately capture uncomfortable angles of actresses. "The paparazzi are like, 'Ye tangon ka shot mil jaye.' And the one behind se jo shot leta hai, which none of the heroines or girls like," he said at the time, according to NDTV.
On the show he argued that while some celebrities allegedly invite and pay for such sightings, others are visibly uncomfortable — and photographers should know the difference. "Jinko chahiye wo karo bhai. Jinko nahi chahiye unko chuna nahi tum," he added.
A wider complaint about the culture of celebrity photography
Salman also revisited his broader criticism of the industry around celebrity sightings. As The Indian Express reported, he has argued that ever since PR teams became involved and sightings became something people pay for, intrusive photography has only grown worse — even joking on the season premiere of Koffee with Karan 9 that "whoever came up with the idea of a phone camera has ruined our lives."
Why it matters for Gulf and global audiences
Salman remains one of Bollywood's most-watched stars across the Gulf, where his films draw packed audiences. The IIFA Awards connect directly to that audience too — this year's IIFA celebrations, including the press events where Salman and fellow stars like Kareena Kapoor and Shahid Kapoor have appeared, are tied to the awards' 2027 edition with its Abu Dhabi connection. His message also echoes a wider global conversation about consent and boundaries in celebrity photography, one that resonates far beyond Mumbai.
Sources: The Indian Express, NDTV, ABP Live, Moneycontrol — reporting on the IIFA 2027 press conference in Mumbai and Salman's remarks.