Mumbai, November 2, 2026: Filmmaker Sanjay Gupta’s wife, Anuradha Lekhi Gupta, has defended their 13-year-old daughter after a video from the filmmaker’s funeral went viral, showing the teenager making a middle-finger gesture towards paparazzi. Anuradha said the family’s children were grieving the sudden loss of their father and had been distressed by the media attention surrounding them.
Wife Appeals for Sensitivity Towards Grieving Children
In a public statement, Anuradha said the family had suffered an irreparable loss and thanked relatives, friends, fans and members of the media for their support.
She said her children were adolescents who had suddenly lost their father and were struggling to process the tragedy.
Viral Video Sparked Online Criticism
The controversy began after footage from the funeral showed Sanjay Gupta’s daughter Dalai sitting inside a car while photographers gathered around it.
The teenager was seen covering her face before making a middle-finger gesture towards the cameras, prompting criticism from some social-media users while others defended her right to privacy during a period of grief.
Family Says Paparazzi Attention Caused Distress
Anuradha said her children had grown up away from the public spotlight and were not accustomed to intense paparazzi attention.
She said the sudden intrusion into their privacy at such a difficult moment caused significant emotional distress and that some reactions may have been directed at members of the media in the heat of the moment.
Mother Requests Videos Be Deleted
Anuradha also appealed to photographers, social-media users and media organisations to remove videos and images that could leave a lasting emotional impact on her children.
She urged people to give them privacy, compassion and space while they mourn their father.
Social Media Reaction Remains Divided
The viral clip triggered mixed reactions online.
While some users criticised the gesture, others questioned the practice of photographing grieving family members at funerals and argued that minors should be given greater privacy during emotionally difficult situations.
Sanjay Gupta Died After Accidental Fall
Sanjay Gupta died after suffering a fatal head injury following an accidental fall at his Mumbai home.
The filmmaker was known for movies including Kaante, Shootout at Lokhandwala, Shootout at Wadala and Kaabil, and his death prompted tributes from several members of the Hindi film industry.
Debate Raises Questions About Celebrity Privacy
The incident has also renewed discussion around the boundaries of celebrity photography, particularly when children and grieving families are involved.
Anuradha’s statement has shifted much of the discussion from the teenager’s gesture towards questions about privacy, media conduct and sensitivity during bereavement.
Source: The Indian Express, Hindustan Times, Times of India
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