Mumbai: Taapsee Pannu has opened up about being compared to veteran actress Jaya Bachchan and being called her “dusri Jaya Bachchan.”
The actress said she does not consider the comparison an insult and explained why women who maintain clear boundaries can often be perceived as intimidating.
Addressing the “dusri Jaya Bachchan” and “Jaya Bachchan lite” tags, Taapsee told News18, “I think that’s a compliment. I only look at the brighter side. She’s a very good actor and a very solid woman. People are being too kind by comparing me to her.”
Explaining her stance on paparazzi culture, Taapsee said, “To be honest, I really don’t care. I know that I haven’t ever raised my voice at anybody. That’s not what I do. I don’t abuse anybody. My boundaries are very clear. And a woman with very clear boundaries is very intimidating. My sense of right and wrong is very clear in front of them and they don’t like that. I’m supposed to be a little more submissive and extra polite. I, in fact, am shouted at by them. I don’t like that.”
Taapsee said she gets upset when paparazzi shout her name, as she is not accustomed to being addressed that way.
She added that contrary to photographers’ claims, she does not lash out when she is genuinely angry but instead shuts down.
The actor also suggested that such labels are partly used to generate clicks and boost paparazzi social media pages. She added that, in the process, she ends up helping them garner more views.
Taapsee is not the only Bollywood star to have had an uncomfortable encounter with the paparazzi.
Recently, Tara Sutaria was seen pushing away a photographer’s camera after he allegedly came too close to her. The incident sparked a wave of support for the actress on social media.
One Reddit user also questioned the photographer’s manner of addressing Tara, writing, “Look at them calling Tara as if they are calling their wife.” Another comment read, “She should have just pushed them stronger. How dare they call her? They sound like Taraaa, Taraahhh. Such clowns.”
Last year, Jaya Bachchan opened up about her equation with the paparazzi at the We The Women event.
Addressing the issue, she said, “It is strange. I am the product of the media, but my relationship with the paparazzi is zero. Who are these people? Are they trained to be representing the people of this country? You call them media? I come from media! My father was a journalist. I have tremendous respect for such people.”
She added, “Magar ye jo baahar drain pipe pant, gande-gande kapde pehen ke haath me mobile leke (These men outside wearing these slim pants and 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? And the kind of comments they pass? What kind of people are these people? Kaha se aatey he? Kis tarah ke education he? Kya background he (From where are these people coming? What is their education? What is their background)? Will they represent us? Just because they can go through social media?”
