‘Don’t Photograph them together’: Veteran photographer recalls unspoken rule around Sunny Deol and Dimple Kapadia

Long before social media transformed celebrity culture and paparazzi photography became a daily phenomenon, Bollywood operated under a very different set of rules. Veteran celebrity photographer Ramakant Munde has now shed light on that era, revealing one of the industry’s lesser-known practices involving actors Sunny Deol and Dimple Kapadia.

Speaking during a recent interview, Munde recalled that photographers were often informally instructed not to photograph the two stars together, even when they appeared at the same events or film shoots.

An Unspoken Understanding in Bollywood

According to Munde, media professionals of that period were aware that Sunny Deol and Dimple Kapadia preferred not to be photographed in the same frame.

He explained that whenever both actors attended a public function, film set, or industry gathering, photographers would often receive advance communication discouraging joint photographs.

“Everyone in the media knew about it,” Munde recalled, adding that instructions were typically conveyed through representatives or subtle signals from the stars’ teams.

Rather than creating conflict, photographers generally respected such requests, reflecting the professional relationships that existed between celebrities and entertainment photographers at the time.

A Different Era of Celebrity Coverage

Munde noted that Bollywood photography functioned very differently before the rise of smartphones, social media platforms, and 24-hour entertainment news.

Unlike today, where candid celebrity moments often dominate headlines, publications in earlier decades focused primarily on glamorous portraits and promotional photographs.

Publishers preferred carefully curated images showcasing fashion, styling, jewelry, makeup, and cinematic appeal rather than personal interactions or private moments.

According to Munde, photographs revealing who a celebrity was spending time with rarely generated the same level of public interest that they do today.

The Rise of Paparazzi Culture

Reflecting on the evolution of entertainment journalism, Munde observed that audience preferences have changed dramatically.

Modern fans often follow every aspect of a celebrity’s life, from airport appearances and vacations to family gatherings and casual outings.

The growth of social media has created a constant demand for real-time updates and candid images, fundamentally changing the relationship between celebrities and photographers.

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“In those days, glamorous photographs sold magazines,” Munde explained. “Today, people want to know everything about a celebrity’s personal life.”

Why Actresses Drew More Attention

Munde also shared insights into why actresses often attracted greater attention from photographers than their male counterparts.

According to him, female stars frequently appeared in elaborate costumes, stylish outfits, and professionally designed looks that publishers considered highly marketable.

As a result, photographs of leading actresses were in particularly high demand.

He recalled how names such as Madhuri Dixit, Sridevi, Manisha Koirala, and Shilpa Shetty could instantly draw photographers to film sets long before shooting began.

Whenever photographers learned that one of these stars was working on location, many would arrive significantly earlier to secure the best photographs.

A Window Into Bollywood’s Past

Munde’s recollections offer a rare glimpse into a period when Bollywood publicity was more carefully managed and personal boundaries were largely respected by the media.

The contrast between that era and today’s celebrity culture highlights how dramatically the entertainment industry has evolved over the years.

From meticulously staged glamour shoots to round-the-clock paparazzi coverage, Bollywood photography has undergone a remarkable transformation — one that reflects broader changes in technology, media consumption, and audience curiosity.