A significant controversy has erupted in the entertainment world following veteran actor and politician Jaya Bachchan’s recent comments, which have deeply offended the paparazzi community. Her remarks, particularly the reference to photographers wearing “drainpipe tight, gande gande pant” have been widely interpreted as elitist and disrespectful towards their profession and socio-economic background.
This has led to a furious reaction, with several prominent paparazzi photographers contemplating an unprecedented boycott of the Bachchan family.
During a public discussion, Ms. Bachchan differentiated between the professional “media,” which she respects—citing her father’s background as a journalist—and the modern-day paparazzi, with whom she has a “zero” relationship. The most controversial part of her statement questioned the paparazzi’s qualifications, education, and dress sense, suggesting they lack the training and credibility to be considered media representatives.
She was quoted as saying, “But these guys who wear tight, dirty drain-pipe pants and carry a mobile phone in their hand… they think that because they have a mobile, they can take your picture and say what they want.” She further dismissed them as being like a “chuha (rat)” getting into someone’s space.
The response from the photographers has been swift and strong, focusing primarily on the perceived classism of her statement. Many photographers pointed out the irony, as they are the ones who work tirelessly, often in difficult conditions, to provide the visibility that fuels the celebrity ecosystem.
Pallav Paliwal, a well-known celebrity photographer, expressed his disappointment, arguing that judging professionals based on their appearance is unfortunate. He raised the point of self-respect, saying, “Maintaining our self-respect, let’s boycott their family.”
The immediate concern for the Bachchan family is the potential impact on future projects. Mr. Paliwal specifically mentioned the upcoming film of Ms. Bachchan’s grandson, Agastya Bachchan, suggesting a boycott could directly affect its promotions.
Another senior photographer, Manav Manglani, while expressing respect for Ms. Bachchan, suggested she hasn’t “evolved with the digital era and may not grasp the shift from traditional print to fast-paced digital and social media, which the paparazzi largely represent.
The calls for a boycott are more than just an expression of anger; they represent a bold move by the paparazzi to assert their importance and professional dignity. To know such updates, stay tuned to tellyboosters.com Thank you!
