On June 12, 2025, Indian television actor Ankit Gupta, known for Udaariyaan and Bigg Boss 16, made headlines after a tense encounter with paparazzi in Mumbai. Spotted exiting a restaurant with an unidentified woman, Gupta, dressed casually in a shirt and jeans, initially waved at the photographers but quickly grew agitated, asking them not to follow him. The incident, captured in a viral video, sparked widespread speculation about his personal life, especially amid rumors of a breakup with co-star Priyanka Chahar Choudhary. Fans on X questioned the woman’s identity, with some wondering if she was a co-star or a new romantic interest, while others criticized the paparazzi’s intrusion, with comments like, “Camera man ko kyun rok diya, kya chupana hai?”
The following day, June 13, Gupta took to Instagram to slam the “baseless gossip” and invasion of his privacy, calling the attempt to link him with a stranger “disturbing.” In a strongly worded statement, he wrote, “There comes a point where silence starts to feel like consent, and I’m no longer okay with that… My dignity is not public property,” threatening legal action against those spreading defamatory content. Supporters, including actress Tina Datta, praised his stand, with X posts lauding his call-out of “paid media” and defending his right to privacy. One user wrote, “This post is a SLAP on all those defaming him. So proud of this man🙌🏻”
The incident highlights the ongoing tension between celebrities and paparazzi, a dynamic seen in similar outbursts from stars like Shilpa Shetty, who once snapped, “Muh me ghuskar photo loge kya?” Gupta’s reaction underscores his frustration as a public figure navigating relentless scrutiny, especially after his rumored split with Choudhary, fueled by their social media unfollowing. While Gupta has not confirmed the breakup, he previously told Bombay Times, “Whatever it is, it has always been between two people… I don’t really give it a thought.” His latest outburst and legal threat signal a firm stance against the media’s overreach, resonating with fans who see it as a reclaiming of personal boundaries.
