Mumbai, November 2, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Filmmaker Sanjay Gupta’s wife, Anuradha Lekhi Gupta, has appealed to the media and social media users to respect the privacy of their children after a video from the filmmaker’s funeral triggered criticism over their alleged gestures towards paparazzi.
In an emotional statement shared by filmmaker Milap Zaveri on social media, Anuradha said the family was coping with an irreparable loss and that her children, who are adolescents, had suddenly lost their father.
The controversy erupted after videos showed the siblings leaving the crematorium in a car following their father’s last rites. As photographers gathered around the vehicle, Sanjay’s daughter, seated in the front passenger seat, was allegedly seen making an obscene gesture towards them. His son, seated at the back, also appeared to make a similar gesture.
The clips drew criticism online, with some users questioning the siblings’ behaviour and their expressions as they left the crematorium.
In her statement, Anuradha said Sanjay had suffered a fatal head injury in an accidental fall and described him as a father who loved his family and children immensely.
She explained that the children, who had grown up away from the glare of the limelight and intrusive paparazzi culture, were deeply distressed by the sudden intrusion into their privacy during an extremely difficult time.
“In their grief and anguish, some of their reactions may have been directed towards certain members of the media. I sincerely regret any hurt this may have caused,” she wrote.
Appealing for understanding, she urged people to view the reactions in the context of grieving children struggling to cope with their father’s death.
Anuradha also requested media organisations and social media users to delete content that could leave lasting emotional scars on the children and allow them the privacy and space to grieve.
Sanjay Gupta died on October 30 at the age of 57. Preliminary police findings indicated that he suffered a fatal head injury after an accidental fall at his Versova residence in Mumbai. The Versova police registered an accidental death report and initiated an investigation.
Known for directing films such as Kaante, Musafir, Zinda, Shootout at Wadala, Jazbaa, Mumbai Saga and Kaabil, Gupta’s sudden death prompted tributes from several members of the film fraternity.
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