Paparazzi May Boycott Jaya Bachchan After Her Remarks Against Them, Senior Photographer Says 'I Told My Colleagues...'
Tensions are escalating between veteran actress and politician Jaya Bachchan and the paparazzi, with some photographers considering a boycott following her recent remarks about them. The controversy stems from comments made during an interview with Barkha Dutt for Mojo Story, where Bachchan expressed her disapproval of the paparazzi culture, questioning their professionalism, training, and even their attire.
Bachchan, known for her unfiltered statements, distinguished between journalists, whom she respects due to her father's background in the field, and the paparazzi, with whom she stated she has "zero relationship". She criticized the photographers' clothing, referring to them as individuals "standing outside with shabby drainpipe-type clothes with mobile phones in their hands," who believe they can film anyone and make unsolicited remarks. She also questioned their background, education and credibility.
These remarks have sparked outrage within the paparazzi community, with many expressing disappointment and asserting their importance in the celebrity ecosystem. Several photographers have spoken out against Bachchan's comments, with some hinting at a potential boycott of her and her family.
Varinder Chawla, a senior photographer, told HT City, "I told my colleagues apni self respect rakhte hain, aur inko boycott karte hain (we should keep our own self respect and we should boycott her)". He also added that it is important to discern between professional paparazzi and the influx of YouTubers and fans who may contribute to the chaos.
Pallav Paliwal, another well-known celebrity photographer, expressed his disappointment, arguing that judging professionals based on their appearance is unfortunate. He also raised concerns about the potential impact on the promotions for the upcoming film Ikkis, starring Bachchan's grandson Agastya Nanda, if the paparazzi were to boycott the family. "It's unfortunate, what she said. Her grandson Agastya's film Ikkis is going to release, what if the paps don't come to cover the promotions?".
Manav Manglani suggested that Bachchan may not fully grasp the shift from traditional print media to the fast-paced digital and social media landscape that the paparazzi largely represent. He noted the influx of YouTubers and content creators has created some chaos and some go to any extent to get viral responses, which is unethical and needs to stop.
The potential boycott highlights the growing tensions between celebrities and the paparazzi in the digital age. While some acknowledge the intrusive nature of paparazzi, many argue that they play a vital role in providing visibility for celebrities and their projects. The remarks have been interpreted as elitist and disrespectful towards their profession and socio-economic background.
Bachchan, however, seems unfazed by the backlash. She stated that she doesn't care about being the "most hated person" on social media and that her relationship with the paparazzi is "zero". She emphasized her respect for trained journalists but drew a line between them and those who she believes are simply taking advantage of mobile technology.
