Reports of a $11 million deal for exclusive rights to the first photographs of the Brangelina babies may shock Indians today but there is no doubt Bollywood's influence is on the rise in a country where the lives of movie stars are staple fare on news channels.

"There is a rapidly changing audience who want to consume more and more celebrity news and takes vicarious pleasure in the knowledge of celebrities' lives," said Ayaz Memon of the DNA newspaper.

"The amount of television channels who are vying to keep ahead of each other will only mean that the paparazzi culture is inescapable for India," he said.

The number of paparazzi tailing Hollywood's young elite has swollen in recent years and dozens of photographers often crowd celebrity hot spots.

But in India, the concept of star photos being sold in million-dollar deals is still unheard of despite a rapid rise in the number of celebrity magazines, channels and television shows.

People magazine launched its first issue in India last week but its editor insists it will not indulge in intrusive journalism and will certainly not bid for celebrity photos.

"For most Indians, there are various religious and cultural beliefs associated with putting out pictures of newborns. These beliefs override all financial considerations," Saira Menezes said.

But what of celebrity affairs and weddings?

WAR FOR NEWS

When Abhishek Bachchan married Aishwarya Rai last year, television channels ran hour-long shows weeks in advance, going into details of the wedding preparations and the final ceremony.

Although the Bachchans did not release any details or photos, some images were leaked and made public over the Internet and on television screens.

"When you have 20 channels covering the same news, it looks stupid for us to sit on our high horse. We do try and stick to respectable coverage, but that is a very subjective term," said Rajeev Masand, the entertainment head of a TV news channel.

With so many channels and limited access to celebrities, Masand said that money could soon play a part in ensuring exclusive rights to celebrity photos and even interviews.

But photographers in the industry still feel that clicking candid photos of movie stars is not as financially rewarding as in the West.

"The amount that we get paid for a potentially great picture is peanuts," said freelance photographer Yogen Shah.