Riteish Deshmukh On Paparazzi: “Their Effort Deserves Respect”
In an age where the relationship between celebrities and paparazzi often swings between warm poses and icy glares, actor Riteish Deshmukh has carved out a noticeably different approach. Instead of seeing shutterbugs as intruders, he views them as professionals who depend on pictures to earn a living—and that shift in mindset shapes how he and his family greet the cameras.bollywoodshaadis+2
A Family That Greets, Not Ignores
Whenever Riteish steps out with his wife, actress Genelia Deshmukh, and their sons Rahyl and Riaan, the first thing many onlookers notice is the way the family interacts with the paparazzi. They often greet the photographers with folded hands, exchange smiles, and patiently pose for a few quick shots before moving on.
This isn’t just for show, Riteish explained in an episode of The Right Angle with Sonal Kalra. “I have seen the pap culture grow,” he said, recalling how things used to be different when they first entered the industry. Back then, most photos were taken at events, not outside restaurants or airports, and there were far fewer photographers chasing every available moment.
An Eye‑Opening Conversation About Money
What changed Riteish’s perspective for good, he said, was a simple conversation with a paparazzo about how much a single photo is worth. “Ek photo ke tumhe kitne milte hain?” he asked. “It depends,” came the reply. “Kisi ne agar exclusive pic liya toh ₹1,000.”
That moment stayed with him. If a photographer’s daily earnings depend on those few frames, he realised, then refusing to pose wasn’t just a personal choice it could directly affect someone’s livelihood. “If his daily earning depends on pictures, and if I am able to contribute, then I do it,” he said. “Till date I have never refused a pap picture.”
Respect, Boundaries, and Humility
He also made it clear that respect is a two‑way street. “Wherever they have come, I have humbly respected them, and so have they,” he added, noting that the photographers have often acknowledged his courtesy with politeness of their own, even when his children are involved.
At the same time, boundaries matter. Riteish has spoken about asking photographers not to follow them near their children’s school, because that space, he believes, should remain their “own” and not a photo‑op. The team reportedly respected that request, a small but meaningful gesture of understanding.
He’s also conscious of how fame can shape behaviour in kids. He and Genelia have taught Rahyl and Riaan to greet the paps but also to stay grounded. “We always say, ‘Today they are there, tomorrow they might not be there. When they are there, respect it and move on. Don’t expect people to be there to click your pictures,’” he has said, urging humility even in the glare of the spotlight.
A Blockbuster to Match a Calm Camera Policy
At the same time, Riteish is riding high on professional success. His latest directorial‑cum‑acting project, the historical action epic Raja Shivaji, has emerged as a major box‑office hit, raking up strong numbers across Marathi, Hindi, and Telugu, and even entering the list of the highest‑grossing Indian films.
That success, however, hasn’t made him change his stance toward the paparazzi. If anything, it has reinforced his belief that no one in the ecosystem be it actor, director, or photographer is replaceable, and that mutual respect is what keeps the whole machine running.
For fans, this mix of success and sensitivity paints a simple picture: Riteish Deshmukh may be a star on screen, but off‑camera, he’s trying to see the people behind the lenses as just that people who work hard to make a living, and deserve a smile, a hello, and a few seconds of their time.
