Karan Johar has stepped in after Sunny Deol’s recent angry exchange with the paparazzi, urging everyone to stop invading the Deol family’s space during a deeply emotional time. Calling it painful to watch a “media circus” unfold around veteran actor Dharmendra, who is still recovering, Karan expressed how upsetting it was to see such disregard for someone who has given so much to Indian cinema.

On Thursday, Karan shared a heartfelt note on Instagram Story, addressing the lack of sensitivity shown towards the family. He reminded everyone that the Deols are already dealing with a heavy emotional load and asked people to show some basic humanity. “When basic courtesy and sensitivity leaves our hearts and our actions we know we are a doomed race,” he wrote, followed by, “PLEASE leave a family alone!!!! They are already emotionally combatting so much…. Its heartbreaking to see a paparazzi and media circus for a living legend who has contributed so massively to our cinema… this is not coverage it’s DISRESPECT.”

Karan’s message came shortly after Sunny Deol was seen losing his patience with photographers gathered outside his home just hours after Dharmendra returned from the hospital. The actor folded his hands and lashed out at the paps for filming his family at such a vulnerable moment. “Aap logon ko sharam aayni chaiyeh… Aapke ghar mein maa-baap hain, bacche hain… Ch******n ki taranh video liye jaa rahe ho.. Sharam nahi aati,” Sunny told them, questioning their insensitivity.