'Who're these people?': Jaya Bachchan on 'zero relationship' with paparazzi
What's the story
Veteran actor Jaya Bachchan (77) recently opened up about her strained relationship with the paparazzi. Speaking to journalist Barkha Dutt on #WeTheWomen, she said that while she has a good relationship with the media, she doesn't feel the same way about paparazzi. She even called them "rats" who can invade anyone's privacy with just a mobile phone.
Discontent
Bachchan questioned the professionalism of paparazzi
Bachchan said, "My relationship with media is fantastic... But my relationship with paparazzi is zero. Who are these people? Are they trained to be representing the people of this country? You call them media?" She added, "But yeh jo bahar gande, tight pant pehnke, hath mein mobile leke (they wear cheap tight pants and have a mobile in their hand), they think just because they have a mobile, they can take your picture and say what they want."
Social media backlash
Bachchan's staff informed her about online hate
Bachchan also revealed that one of her staff members in Delhi told her that she is the most hated person on social media. She said, "I said that I don't care, I don't give a damn. You hate me, it's your opinion. My opinion is that I dislike you immensely." "You think that you can be like a chuha (rat) who can get into somebody's house with a mobile camera."
Celebrity behavior
Bachchan criticized celebrities for calling paparazzi to airports
Bachchan also disapproved of the trend of celebrities calling paparazzi to the airport just to get clicked. She said, "I don't know them. I don't know whoever you are talking about. My grandson (Agastya Nanda) is also young, but he is not on any social network." "If you have to call people to take your photos at the airport, what kind of celebrity are you?"
Twitter Post
Listen to Bachchan here
Jaya ji spoke about her lifelong love for the media — a world she grew up around thanks to her father. But with her trademark candour, she also admitted that today’s hyper-aggressive pap culture isn’t something she’s entirely comfortable with.
— barkha dutt (@BDUTT) November 30, 2025
Honest, reflective, and… pic.twitter.com/Cbr1DVXgsx
Career update
Bachchan's recent film and upcoming project
On the work front, Bachchan was last seen in the 2023 film Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahani. She will next be seen in Vikas Bahl's Dil Ka Darwaaza Khol Na Darling. The veteran actor has been vocal about her discomfort with paparazzi in the past as well, even addressing them directly at events for their behavior and comments.