Veteran actress and politician Jaya Bachchan has recently faced criticism for her remarks concerning the paparazzi culture in India, sparking a debate about celebrity-media relations. Her comments, made during a discussion at the We The Women event in Mumbai, have been labeled as "snobbish elitism" by filmmaker Ashoke Pandit, the President of the Indian Film & Television Directors' Association (IFTDA).
Bachchan's statements questioned the background, training, and overall professionalism of paparazzi. Specifically, she questioned, "Who are these people? Are they trained to be representing the people of this country? You call them media?". She also commented on their attire, describing them as "guys who wear tight, dirty drain-pipe pants".
These remarks have drawn strong reactions, with Ashoke Pandit leading the charge against what he perceives as an unfair characterization of the paparazzi. In a social media post, Pandit stated that Bachchan's words "reeks of snobbish elitism" and that demeaning the profession was "unbecoming of such a senior member of our film industry and a parliamentarian". He argued that while criticizing aggressive coverage is acceptable, disrespecting an entire community of hardworking professionals is not.
Pandit defended the paparazzi, emphasizing that they are often called upon by celebrities and their PR teams themselves. He suggested that Bachchan should perhaps "look inwards rather than indulge in this misplaced outrage" if she holds such a strong opinion against the paparazzi culture. He posted a note slamming Jaya with a caption that read, “Not very parliamentarian, #JayaBachchan ji".
Bachchan, whose father was a journalist, has stated that she respects traditional media but finds today's paparazzi intrusive and unprofessional. She questioned the ethics of paparazzi and the line between publicity and privacy, also pointing out that some young actors even call photographers to take their photos at the airport. "My relationship with the media is fantastic. I'm the product of the media, but my relationship with the paparazzi is zero", she stated.
The controversy has ignited a broader conversation about the dynamic between celebrities and the paparazzi in the Bollywood industry. Some observers believe that Bachchan's comments reflect a disconnect between established figures in the industry and the evolving media landscape. Others argue that her concerns about privacy and the behavior of certain paparazzi are valid.
