French film star Gérard Depardieu was involved in a physical altercation with Rino Barillari, known as the “king of paparazzi,” at Harry’s Bar on the Via Veneto in Rome. The incident, witnessed by a journalist and the photographer himself, harkened back to the days of celebrity-hunting paparazzi in the city.

According to witnesses, Mr. Depardieu, 75, repeatedly punched Mr. Barillari, 79, after the photographer had been asked to stop taking photographs. The altercation resulted in Mr. Barillari being taken to a hospital with injuries, including a significant amount of blood.

Gianni Riotta, a columnist for La Repubblica, described the scene as a “time machine” back to the era of Cinecittà film studios when Rome was known as “Hollywood on the Tiber.”

The incident has sparked speculation about potential legal action, with lawyers for both parties weighing in on the situation. Mr. Depardieu’s lawyers have yet to comment on the altercation.

This altercation is just the latest in a series of controversies surrounding Mr. Depardieu, who is currently facing criminal charges for alleged sexual assault during a film shoot in France. The actor has denied any wrongdoing.

Mr. Barillari, on the other hand, is no stranger to controversy himself, with a long history of clashes with celebrities and injuries sustained during his paparazzi career. Despite the rise of cell phone cameras, Mr. Barillari remains dedicated to his craft, believing that selfies do not portray the truth about celebrities.

As the fallout from this incident continues to unfold, it serves as a reminder of the ongoing tensions between celebrities and the paparazzi who seek to capture their every move.