‘It’s Not Fair To Them’: Ileana D’Cruz Says She Won’t Allow Paps To Photograph Her Children | Bollywood News

In a candid interview, Ileana D’Cruz opened up about motherhood and paparazzi culture, saying she would not be okay with her babies being photographed in India.

Ileana D’Cruz, the actress who stole hearts with her dazzling Bollywood debut in Anurag Basu’s Barfi! (2012) opposite Ranbir Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra, has come a long way since her early days in the film industry. Over the years, she built a career marked by critically acclaimed performances and a strong fan base. But away from the spotlight of Mumbai, Ileana is now enjoying a quieter, family-oriented life in Texas with her husband Michael Dolan and their two children.

Though she has taken a step back from the constant glare of the paparazzi, Ileana has not stepped away from her passion for acting. Her most recent appearance on the big screen was in Do Aur Do Pyaar (2024), where she shared screen space with Pratik Gandhi, Vidya Balan, and Sendhil Ramamurthy. The romantic comedy-drama brought her back into the public eye, reminding fans that she continues to juggle motherhood with her artistic commitments.

On Paparazzi and Her Children

In a recent interview with NDTV, Ileana spoke candidly about the prospect of being photographed in India with her children and why she finds it unsettling.

“It would definitely have been hard for me to be photographed with my babies. It would just be incredibly confusing for them. And it’s not fair to them because they wouldn’t understand what is going on. I would not be okay with it,” she said.

Her concern stems from the fact that her children, still very young, might not fully grasp the idea of being constantly followed and photographed. The overwhelming attention, she believes, could disturb their sense of normalcy.

However, Ileana also pointed out her positive experiences with the Mumbai paparazzi during her career. “I’ve had a good relationship with the paps in Bombay, and every time I have told them, ‘Listen, I’m not comfortable, please don’t take a picture,’ they’ve actually respected my wishes. So if it were to come to that, I think they would understand not to take pictures of the babies,” she explained.

Marriage and Motherhood

Ileana’s personal life took a happy turn in 2023 when she tied the knot with Michael Dolan in an intimate ceremony. That same year, she welcomed her first child, Koa Phoenix Dolan, in August. More recently, on June 19, 2025, the couple became parents once again with the birth of their second son, Keanu Rafe Dolan.

The actress, who had once been known for her glamorous roles and red-carpet appearances, now speaks openly about the joy of motherhood and her desire to protect her family’s privacy.

In Summary

For Ileana D’Cruz, life has come full circle—from the glitz of Bollywood to the quiet joys of family life in Texas. While she continues to pursue acting projects, her priorities have clearly shifted. As she revealed, shielding her children from the overwhelming attention of the paparazzi is non-negotiable. With a mix of gratitude and resolve, Ileana remains hopeful that the same paparazzi who respected her boundaries in the past will continue to do so when it comes to her children.