Sapthami Gowda has publicly addressed what she describes as a persistent and troubling pattern at public events, female actors being filmed and photographed from inappropriate angles. Taking to Instagram, the Kantara star shared a strongly worded note condemning selective zoom-ins that shift focus from an artist’s work to her body.
With the caption “actors not objects,” Sapthami stated that such visuals, often circulated online, are disrespectful and unacceptable. She emphasised that women in the film industry are present at events to represent their craft and cinema, not to be objectified. According to her, deliberate close-ups and suggestive framing violate basic dignity and should not be normalised under the guise of coverage.
Calling for accountability, the actor urged journalists and media professionals to uphold standards of decency and professionalism. She also stressed solidarity, noting that many women have experienced similar discomfort and that it is time to collectively draw a firm boundary.
Sapthami is not alone in raising this concern. Actors like Janhvi Kapoor, Mrunal Thakur, Zareen Khan, Nora Fatehi and Ayesha Khan have previously spoken about being objectified by intrusive paparazzi practices.
Having debuted with Popcorn Monkey Tiger and later appearing in films such as The Vaccine War and Yuva, Sapthami’s statement adds fresh urgency to an ongoing conversation about respect and representation in the industry.
