‘Snobbish Elitism’: Ashoke Pandit Slams Jaya Bachchan’s Paparazzi Remarks

New Delhi, December 1, 2025: Veteran actress and politician Jaya Bachchan has once again ignited a massive debate over celebrity-paparazzi relations, this time drawing sharp criticism from filmmaker Ashoke Pandit. Bachchan’s recent comments, where she questioned the professionalism and attire of photographers, have been widely condemned as classist and elitist.

The Controversial Remarks

The controversy began when Jaya Bachchan, speaking at the ‘We The Women’ event in Mumbai, lashed out at the paparazzi culture. While she maintained that she has immense respect for the media, citing her journalist father, she claimed her relationship with the paparazzi is “zero.”

Her most controversial statement came when she described the photographers: “Magar ye jo bahar drain-pipe tight gande-gande pant pehen ke haath me mobile leke… they think that just because they have a mobile they can take your picture, and say what they want?” (But these guys outside wearing drain-pipe tight, dirty clothes with mobiles in their hands… they think that just because they have a mobile they can take your picture, and say what they want?). She further questioned their education, background, and whether they were “trained to represent the people of this country.” She also took a dig at young actors who allegedly tip off paps for photos.

Pandit’s Sharp Retort

Filmmaker and President of the Indian Film & Television Directors’ Association (IFTDA), Ashoke Pandit, swiftly reacted to Bachchan’s comments with a strongly-worded post on social media, labelling her stance as “snobbish elitism.”

Pandit argued that while it is acceptable to criticize the aggressive behaviour of some individuals, “to demean the profession altogether, laced with downright classic remark is unbecoming of such a senior member of our film industry and a parliamentarian.”

He defended the photographers, saying they are “hardworking professionals doing their job.” He further pointed out the hypocrisy often present in celebrity-paparazzi dynamics. “They are hardworking professionals doing their job, for which most times they’ve been called by the stars and their PR teams themselves,” Pandit wrote. He concluded by advising Bachchan to “look inwards” rather than indulge in what he called “misplaced outrage.”

A Recurring Conflict

Jaya Bachchan has a long-standing reputation for her tense interactions with the paparazzi, having been filmed on numerous occasions reprimanding them for invading her personal space or taking unsolicited pictures. This latest incident, however, has shifted the focus from the paparazzi’s actions to her criticism of their socioeconomic background and appearance.

The backlash from Ashoke Pandit highlights the dividing line in the industry—between the celebrities who are often frustrated by the constant intrusion and the professionals who view their work as a legitimate, market-driven profession. His comments resonate with those who feel that Bachchan’s remarks crossed a line, turning a critique of professionalism into an attack on class.

The incident has reignited the continuous debate about the boundaries of celebrity privacy versus the public’s right to know, and whether the industry’s senior figures should use their platform to attack the working professionals who help maintain their public profile.