Hardik Pandya Slams Paparazzi For Invading Girlfriend Mahieka Sharma's Privacy: 'Cheap Sensationalism... Women Deserve Dignity'

India's prime all-rounder Hardik Pandya has lambasted the paparazzi in a strongly worded statement for breaching the privacy of his girlfriend, Mahieka Sharma, as she returned from a Mumbai restaurant.

Pandya expressed dismay over the media attack, stressing the need for personal space and respect, lashing out at the paparazzi for “cheap sensationalism”.  All-rounder recognised that public figures invite scrutiny, but stressed that moments involving women deserve dignity and restraint.

"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," Hardik posted in an Instagram story on Tuesday.

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"Mahieka was simply walking down a staircase at a Bandra restaurant when paparazzi decided to capture her from an angle that no woman deserves to be photographed from. A private moment was turned into cheap sensationalism," he added.

"This isn't about headlines or who clicked what, it's about basic respect. Women deserve dignity. Everyone deserves boundaries. To the media brothers who work hard every day: I respect your hustle, and I always cooperate. But I'm requesting you all, please be a little more mindful. Not everything needs to be captured. Not every angle needs to be taken," Hardik said.

"Let's keep some humanity in this game. Thank you," the star all-rounder concluded.

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A video showing paparazzi following Mahieka outside a Mumbai restaurant was shared widely on social media, with many believing it triggered Pandya's reaction.

Pandya, who is making his international comeback after recovering from a quadriceps injury, addressed the controversy just hours before India's T20I series opener against South Africa on Tuesday.