Veteran actress and parliamentarian Jaya Bachchan has ignited a fresh controversy with her pointed criticism of the paparazzi culture, drawing a sharp rebuke from prominent filmmaker Ashoke Pandit and sparking a divided reaction across social media platforms.
Ashoke Pandit's Strong Rebuttal to Jaya's 'Elitist' Tone
The president of the Indian Film & Television Directors' Association, Ashoke Pandit, did not hold back in his response to Jaya Bachchan's comments. Taking to Instagram, he shared a note with the caption, "Not very parliamentarian, #JayaBachchan ji."
In his detailed statement, Pandit accused the veteran actress of exhibiting "snobbish elitism." He argued that while one could critique aggressive media coverage, her remarks demeaned the entire profession. "To criticize the aggressive coverage of certain paps is one thing, but to demean the profession altogether, laced with downright classist remarks is unbecoming of such a senior member of our film industry and a parliamentarian," he wrote.
Pandit further defended paparazzi as hardworking professionals, highlighting that they are often summoned by celebrities and their PR teams for coverage. He suggested that if Bachchan has such strong opinions, she should reflect internally rather than direct her outrage outward.
What Exactly Did Jaya Bachchan Say?
The controversy stems from Jaya Bachchan's appearance at the 'We The Women' event, where she was in conversation with journalist Barkha Dutt. While expressing a fantastic relationship with the mainstream media, she drew a clear line with paparazzi.
"My relationship with paparazzi is zero. Who are these people? Are they trained to be representing the people of this country? You call them media?" she questioned, reminding the audience of her journalistic lineage as her father was a journalist.
She then targeted their attire and conduct, stating in Hindi, "But these people who wear cheap, tight pants and have a mobile in their hand, they think just because they have a mobile, they can take your picture and say what they want." She questioned their background and education, asking if they should represent the public just because they have access to YouTube and social media platforms.
Social Media Erupts in Divided Opinions
Ashoke Pandit's post garnered significant engagement, with the online community splitting into two clear camps.
Many users supported Pandit's view, commenting with affirmations like "Absolutely" and "Very well said." They perceived Bachchan's comments as dismissive of an entire profession.
However, a substantial number of users rallied behind Jaya Bachchan. One defender urged people to watch her full statement, commenting, "Before you write you should Watch IT very carefully What she said! And she is right . There should be a limit with paparazzi very much!!!!!" This highlights a recurring public sentiment about the invasive nature of celebrity photography.
This incident is not an isolated one for Jaya Bachchan, who has a long history of visibly expressing her irritation with unsolicited and disrespectful paparazzi attention during public appearances and events over the years.
