At a recent Filmfare Awards ceremony in Ahmedabad, filmmaker Karan Johar took a moment to speak about veteran actress Jaya Bachchan, addressing her often-scrutinized interactions with the paparazzi. Johar, who has known Bachchan since childhood, urged the public and the media to recognize the warmth and kindness that lies beneath her sometimes stern exterior.
Jaya Bachchan has often been the subject of headlines due to her firm responses to paparazzi, leading to perceptions of her being "rude" or "arrogant". Viral videos capturing her asking photographers to stop clicking have fueled this image. However, Johar and others who have worked closely with her, insist that this perception is far from the truth.
While honoring her with the Cine Icon Award, Johar expressed his deep affection and respect for Bachchan. "I am sorry we are doing this stupidity, but we consider you as our mother," he said, adding, "I have the right to call her Aunty J. She is like a mother to me. She has known me since childhood. I have had the amazing fortune of even directing Aunty Jaya. Her legacy precedes us. But more than anything else, it's a warm heart, and everyone should know that, especially the paparazzi". His remarks drew laughter from Bachchan herself.
Johar is not alone in his assessment of Bachchan's character. Anjali Anand, her co-star from Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, has also defended the actress, calling her "the cutest person on the planet" and emphasizing that she is often misunderstood. Anand recounted her experience of working with Bachchan, highlighting her playful and warm nature. She noted that Bachchan is protective, especially when it comes to her family, and may react strongly to those she perceives as invading their privacy. "She's a grandmother who lives in palaces, goes on holidays to Italy, travels in big cars — she doesn't even know what paparazzi look like! So if someone tries to take a picture of her granddaughter, of course she'll stop them," Anand said.
Karan Johar has previously spoken about Jaya Bachchan's caring side. In an interview with Mid-Day in 2023, he shared anecdotes about her behavior on the set of Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani. He revealed that she remembered the names and personal details of all the assistant directors and would often send food and treats for the hardworking crew. "My crew, if you ask them who is the favourite person on set, they would say Jaya Bachchan," Johar stated. He emphasized that her on-screen persona, like her role as the strict matriarch Dhanlakshmi Randhawa, is far removed from her true nature.
Veteran actress's discomfort with the paparazzi stems from a dislike of intrusion into her personal space. Celebrity photographer Manav Manglani noted that Bachchan isn't accustomed to the increased media presence of today. While she doesn't mind photographers at press conferences or film premieres, she dislikes being caught off-guard.
Despite her occasional clashes with the paparazzi, Jaya Bachchan has been known to display a lighter side. Manglani revealed that she sometimes even suggests angles to the photographers. An old video has surfaced of her smiling and explaining that she is fine with being photographed when she is prepared but dislikes it when personal moments are captured secretly without her consent.
Jaya Bachchan's career has spanned decades, and she has played many memorable roles. While her interactions with the paparazzi may continue to draw attention, those who know her best, like Karan Johar, want the public to understand the warmth and generosity that define her true character.
