Veteran actress and politician Jaya Bachchan has once again sparked discussions with her candid remarks on paparazzi culture and her views on marriage, particularly concerning her granddaughter Navya Naveli Nanda. Speaking at the 'We The Women' event in Mumbai on Sunday, the 77-year-old actress didn't hold back while expressing her opinions.
Bachchan made it clear that she has a strained relationship with the paparazzi, contrasting it sharply with the respect she holds for the media. "My relationship with the media is fantastic. I am a product of the media. But my relationship with paparazzi is zero," she stated. She questioned their training and motives, asking, "Who are these people? Are they trained to be representing the people of this country? You call them media?". Bachchan, whose father was a journalist, emphasized her "immense, tremendous respect" for those in the traditional media.
She criticized the paparazzi for their intrusive behavior, stating that they think "they have a mobile they can take your picture and say what they want and the kind of comments they pass". Bachchan has previously expressed her discomfort with being photographed without permission and has often confronted paparazzi for their behavior. She recounted an instance where she was informed about being labeled as one of the "most hated" individuals on social media, to which she responded, "I don't give a damn. I don't care. You hate me? Your opinion. My opinion is, I dislike you immensely because you think you can be like a rat and get into somebody's house with a mobile camera".
In addition to her comments on the paparazzi, Bachchan shared her perspective on marriage, particularly in relation to her granddaughter Navya Naveli Nanda, who is about to turn 28. "I don't want Navya to get married," she declared. When asked if she considers marriage an outdated institution, Bachchan agreed, "Yes, absolutely". She elaborated, "I am a grandmother now... I am too old to advise young girls on how to bring up children. Things have changed so much and today little children are so smart, they will outsmart you".
Bachchan suggested that the legality of marriage doesn't define a relationship. She humorously compared marriage to a "Delhi ka laddoo," saying, "if you eat it, you face difficulties, but if you don't, you regret it. Just enjoy life!". She also emphasized the importance of physical attraction and compatibility in relationships, stating, "If there isn't a physical relationship, it's not going to last very long. You can't sustain it on love, fresh air, and adjustment alone, I feel. It's very, very important".
Navya Naveli Nanda, a Fordham University graduate, is carving her own path as a businesswoman. She is the co-founder of Aara Health, a women-centric healthcare venture, and hosts the podcast "What The Hell Navya" with her mother and grandmother. She is currently pursuing an MBA at the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad.
Bachchan's remarks reflect a shift in societal norms, where many young people are reevaluating traditional views on marriage and relationships. Her emphasis on personal freedom and individual choices aligns with the experiences of many young women today.
