Original Coverage & Source Attribution: in.mashable.com
Bollywood filmmaker Sanjay Gupta passed away on Saturday, at the age of 57, due to a fatal head injury. Best known for directorial projects like Kaante (2004) and Kaabil (2017), his funeral was held on Saturday evening. While celebrities rushed to attend his last rites, a video of his daughter arriving at the venue and flipping off the paparazzi by showing them the middle finger has gone viral. Addressing the matter, his wife Anuradha Lekhi Gupta has expressed her regret over it and requested the paparazzi to delete the now-viral video of her 13-year-old daughter.
Anuradha Lekhi Gupta’s Statement Over Minor Daughter’s Viral Video
In the video, Sanjay Gupta’s 13-year-old daughter Dalai Gupta was seen showing off her middle finger to the paparazzi, who had surrounded her car to click photos and videos of the grieving family. The now-viral video sparked discussions across social media platforms on the kids, who were raised away from the limelight, suddenly being thrust into one.
SEE ALSO: Sanjay Gupta Cause Of Death: What Happened To The Kaante And Shootout At Lokhandwala Director?
On Monday morning, in a statement written by Anuradha, posted on Milap Zaveri’s official Instagram handle, she expressed how the late filmmaker loved his family and kids “immensely.” She added, “Having grown up away from the glare of the limelight and the intrusive nature of paparazzi culture, they were deeply distressed by the sudden intrusion into their privacy at such a difficult time.”
Reacting to the now viral video, she added, “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. I humbly request everyone to understand these reactions for what they truly are — the expressions of grieving children struggling to come to terms with an irreparable loss.”
SEE ALSO: Kaabil Director Sanjay Gupta Dies at 59; Abhishek Bachchan, Manoj Bajpayee Attend Funeral
She also requested the paparazzi to delete “any content that may leave lasting emotional scars on their young minds.” Concluding her point, she wrote, “Please allow them the privacy, compassion, and space they need to grieve the loss of their father.”
Why is late #SanjayGupta’s daughter showing middle finger to the paps and also laughing? Paps didn’t come in anyone’s way while doing the coverage and when you’re a renowned filmmaker, but obviously media will cover – that’s why someone becomes famous or popular, right?! So why such an inappropriate gesture towards the paps? I don’t get it! Girl, your father is no more unfortunately and such a behaviour at this moment will go against you only!
— Samina Shaikh (@saminaUFshaikh) October 31, 2026
Sanjay Gupta, Anuradha Lekhi Gupta Relationship Timeline
According to media reports, Sanjay Gupta and Anuradha Lekhi Gupta first tied the knot in 1997. However, they got a divorce in 2003, before tying the knot in 2009. They have two kids, a 15-year-old son, Shivaansh Gupta, and a 13-year-old daughter, Dalai Gupta.
