Inside the chaos at Shefali Jariwala’s funeral: Fan falls, Indian paparazzi criticised, stars school media

A young fan tripped and fell flat on his face—phone still recording—as TV actress Shehnaaz Gill stepped out to pay her final respects to late actress Shefali Jariwala. Around him, a crowd of onlookers and paparazzi surged forward, jostling for space, for the perfect frame—for content.What unfolded as a masked-up Gill tried to fight tears wasn’t just a sombre farewell to a beloved TV personality—it was a spectacle. And once again, the question rears its head: where do we draw the line? .Shefali Jariwala’s sudden death shocks fans: Bigg Boss 13 loses another star.As videos from the funeral flooded Instagram and YouTube, many viewers expressed their outrage. Several television actors, visibly shaken by Jariwala’s sudden demise, were seen schooling the media. “Please, have some respect,” one star snapped as a camera lens hovered a little too close. Another simply asked how she can make her way to the car if they are blocking her way.This isn’t the first time Indian paparazzi have come under fire for their coverage of celebrity funerals. But this time, the collective discomfort—online and offline—felt louder. . The tragic death of Jariwala, best known for her song Kaanta Laga and subsequent stints on reality television, has sparked a renewed conversation on how we cover grief—and why.‘I haven’t slept since the news broke’: Viral Bhayani speaks exclusively to Gulf NewsVeteran paparazzo Viral Bhayani, whose name is synonymous with celebrity coverage in India, spoke exclusively to Gulf News about the emotional toll and ethical dilemmas that come with covering the death of a public figure.“I haven’t slept since the news emerged,” he admits. “People think we just show up with cameras and shoot. But it takes a toll. Shefali was someone I had known personally, and hearing of her death hit hard.”Bhayani is no stranger to criticism. “People assume we’re vultures circling grief. But think about it—when a political figure dies, entire funerals are shown live on TV. That’s considered respectful. So why the double standards when it comes to celebrities?”Clicks without context?In an era where views don’t always equal value, is the coverage even worth it?. Do they make money off it, we ask.“Honestly, we don’t make money off funerals,” he says. “YouTube demonetises it. Instagram may take it down. You get views, not revenue. It’s not about clicks. It’s about documenting it kindly—without exploiting someone’s worst moment.” . Still, the grey areas persist. Do you pan away when Shehnaaz Gill is struggling to contain her grief, overwhelmed with emotion? Do you wait for a nod before filming a grieving co-star? Or do you go live, because if you don’t, someone else will?It’s a moral minefield, and Bhayani admits the rules are blurry. “Be silent. Don’t make noise. Don’t force anyone to talk. Follow a protocol—even if it’s unspoken. And stay away from the immediate family unless they’ve made it public.”The public’s right to see Vs a celebrity’s right to mournAnother long-standing argument is that celebrities have always lived public lives. Death doesn’t change that.“If someone spent decades connecting with millions of fans, are we wrong to let those fans witness their final goodbye?” Bhayani asks.But what about the loved ones left behind?“Exactly,” says one actor who was present at Jariwala’s funeral but prefers not to be named. “When someone’s gone, at least let the people closest to them grieve without a lens in their face. We’re not asking for a media blackout. We’re asking for basic decency.”A culture at a crossroadsIn the age of virality, even mourning can become performance. But as the footage of a young man crashing to the pavement for a better angle proves, this isn’t sustainable. Not for those behind the camera, and not for those in front of it. .Bollywood actress Shefali Jariwala of Kaanta Laga, Bigg Boss fame dies at 42 of heart attack.There’s a strange cruelty in asking someone to walk past cameras while grieving, only to have that moment become a viral reel. There’s also a strange compulsion among us—the audience—to keep watching.Maybe the answer lies in Bhayani’s parting words: “We have to make our own calls. Don’t go too close. Don’t chase the crying. And never forget: one day, you’ll be the one grieving. Would you want a camera in your face then?”.Top 5 Bollywood, Hollywood movies to watch like Brad Pitt’s F1 and Kajol’s horror film ‘Maa’ this holiday weekend.Kajol on horror film ‘Maa’: Hollywood has superheroes, Bollywood has fierce mums in saris

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