Jaya Bachchan’s Fiery Exchange With Paparazzi: “Shut Your Mouths And Snap Away”
MUMBAI — The longstanding friction between veteran actress Jaya Bachchan and Mumbai’s paparazzi flared up once more on Thursday night, as the Bollywood icon delivered a sharp rebuke amid the usual frenzy at a high-profile fashion event.
Bachchan, a fixture in Indian cinema for decades, made an appearance at an exhibition showcasing designs by acclaimed couturiers Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla. She arrived alongside her daughter, Shweta Bachchan Nanda, drawing an immediate swarm of photographers eager for shots. The ensuing clamor—marked by shouts and jostling—quickly tested her patience. With a piercing glare, Bachchan commanded the group, “Enough, move,” her tone brooking no argument.
As Shweta gently ushered her mother onward, another moment captured on video highlighted the tension. In footage that has since circulated widely on Instagram, Bachchan addressed the photographers directly: “Aap log photo lo, badtameezi mat karo. Chup raho, munh band rakho, photo lo. Upar se comments karte rahte ho” — translating to “You people take the pictures. Do not be ill-mannered. Keep quiet, shut your mouth, and click pictures. No need to keep making comments.”
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Such encounters have become a recurring theme in Bachchan’s interactions with the media. She has repeatedly voiced her discomfort with intrusions into her private space, often confronting those who encroach too closely.
Reflecting on this dynamic during a candid episode of her granddaughter Navya Naveli Nanda’s podcast earlier this year, Bachchan laid bare her disdain. “I hate it. I despise it. I despise the people who interfere in your personal life and fill their stomachs by selling those products. I hate it; I’m disgusted with such people. I always tell them, I say, ‘Aapko sharam nahi aati hai?’ (Don’t you feel ashamed?).”
A resurfaced clip from a previous run-in underscores her unfiltered style: When one paparazzo tripped while pursuing her, Bachchan quipped, “Serves you right. I hope you double up and fall.”
Yet, Bachchan’s rapport with the spotlight isn’t without lighter notes. During this year’s Durga Puja celebrations at the Mukerji residence, close friend Kajol orchestrated a playful ambush. She coaxed Bachchan into posing solo for the cameras, prompting a thunderous cheer from the paparazzi. The unexpected adulation drew a rare, hearty laugh from Bachchan. Kajol, ever the instigator, teased, “Thank You bolo (Say Thank You).”
On the professional front, Bachchan’s most recent screen outing was in Karan Johar’s romantic comedy Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, where she delivered a memorable supporting turn.
Bachchan’s forthright demeanor continues to polarize—admired by some for its authenticity, critiqued by others for its edge—but it remains a hallmark of her public persona, underscoring the challenges of fame in an era of relentless scrutiny.