Hardik Pandya Slams Paparazzi: ‘A Line Was Crossed’ Over Girlfriend Photo

New Delhi, December 09, 2025: Indian cricket star Hardik Pandya has issued a strong public statement, sharply criticizing a section of the paparazzi for capturing an inappropriate photo of his girlfriend, model Mahieka Sharma. Pandya took to social media to express his anger, stating that a personal moment was disrespectfully turned into “cheap sensationalism” and that the media’s focus had crossed a critical boundary of basic respect and dignity.

The Bandra Incident

The controversy stems from an incident at a popular Bandra restaurant in Mumbai. According to Pandya’s account, Mahieka Sharma was simply walking down a staircase when photographers chose to capture her from an angle he stressed “no woman deserves to be photographed from.”

Pandya, who has often been cooperative with the media, acknowledged in his post that public life comes with attention and scrutiny. However, he firmly drew a line at the invasion of privacy, especially when it targets a woman’s dignity.

“I understand that living in the public eye comes with attention and scrutiny, it’s part of the life I’ve chosen. But today something happened that crossed a line,” Pandya wrote in his message. “Mahieka was simply walking down a staircase at a Bandra restaurant when paps decided to capture her from an angle that no woman deserves to be photographed from. A private moment was turned into cheap sensationalism.”

A Call for Respect and Humanity

The all-rounder’s strong message quickly went viral, igniting a conversation about media ethics and the right to privacy for public figures and their partners. Pandya’s main argument was centred on the principle of respect, not headlines.

“This isn’t about headlines or who clicked what, it’s about basic respect,” he asserted. “Women deserve dignity. Everyone deserves boundaries.”

While showing respect for the photographers’ daily hard work, Pandya made a direct appeal for more mindful behaviour: “I’m requesting you all, please be a little more mindful. Not everything needs to be captured. Not every angle needs to be taken. Let’s keep some humanity in this game.”

The Bigger Picture

The incident highlights the growing issue of intrusive celebrity journalism in India, where the pressure for viral content often leads to compromises on privacy and ethical standards. Hardik Pandya, who recently made his relationship with Mahieka Sharma public following his separation from ex-wife Natasa Stanković, has always been under the media spotlight. His decision to publicly address this matter sends a clear signal that he will not tolerate disrespectful behaviour towards his partner.

As the cricketer prepares for his upcoming return to the Indian T20I squad against South Africa, his focus remains split between his professional commitments and standing up for the privacy and dignity of those close to him. His demand for “humanity” in the media’s approach has resonated strongly with fans and other public figures online, reinforcing the message that boundaries must be respected.