Bollywood’s “Airport Look” Is About Making Money: Shobhaa De

India-West News Desk

MUMBAI – The glamorous airport sightings of Bollywood celebrities, often portrayed as spontaneous glimpses of stars, are in fact meticulously orchestrated, according to writer and socialite Shobhaa De.

In a recent interview with Barkha Dutt on Mojo Story, De shed light on what she described as the Hindi film industry’s corporatized approach to celebrity image-building. She revealed that the constant presence of paparazzi at airports is no accident. “Paparazzi are not just there, they are summoned. There is a set of airport paparazzi who are on speed dial with the managers of the stars,” De explained.

De further outlined the role of high-end brands in this ecosystem. Stylists coordinate celebrity outfits to ensure maximum visibility, often at the behest of luxury brands. “The stylists are on the job and they are approached by big brands,” she said, noting that the trend mirrors “Hollywood’s model of image positioning.” She added that in today’s industry, visibility translates directly into commerce: “If you’re not getting clicked at the airport, then you are a nobody.”

Highlighting the extreme end of this trend, De pointed out that some younger actors stage airport appearances entirely. “A lot of the young stars are never taking a plane anywhere. They come with their trolleys in an Uber, pose at the departure gate, and have their staff click and circulate the photos,” she said.