Actress Jaya Bachchan recently made headlines when she pulled up photographers at a college event in Mumbai for flashing camera lights in her eye. At numerous points, she interrupted her co-panelist (noted film critic Bhawana Somaaya) and herself, to request, order, and cajole the front-middle audience members into moving to the side. Or just not photographing during the discussion.
But, to no avail.
When the flashes continued, Bachchan made a series of strongly worded remarks about indiscipline and manners, and said that she had the freedom to say no to being photographed.
The discussion was part of Narsee Monjee college’s annual festival, Umang. Eventually, a visibly agitated Jaya said, “I hate it because the bulbs flash right in my eyes. These are basic manners which Indians have to learn.”
Ironically, the media-celebrity relationship is far less stormy and intrusive in India, than in other countries. In this analysis of why there is no actual paparazzi in India, journalist Rahul Bhatia found that it was simply not profitable or feasible for the media to chase anything other than pictures of “smiling celebrities dressed nicely”. Photographs, argues Bhatia, routinely sold for just Rs.150 – Rs.250 each, and when a photographer did manage to get a paparazzi-like picture of a celebrity, he got a stern talking to after the publication’s owner discussed the picture with the star.
In stark contrast, a 2015 California court had to pass a law to ban media outlets from using drones over private property to take candid photographs of celebrities.
In light of this discrepancy, Jaya Bachchan’s next question seemed particularly incongruous. She said, “Just because you have a camera and a mobile, you have the freedom of taking anyone’s picture? Anytime? Without asking for permission? This is basic education that all colleges, schools, and parents at home should teach their children.”
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She went on to say that the conversation would not continue unless the photographers stopped. “It’s very annoying. I am trying to chat here and you are sitting right in front of me clicking right into my eyes,” she said. Bachchan even called out the organisers of the event, saying, “That’s why I never go to such functions because I am an extremely outspoken person….You have to show how professional you are by organising it in a simple but in a good way. Basic courtesy is you ask, ‘Do you mind if we call the press?’, ‘Do you mind if pictures are taken?’.”
Reiterating that she was not against the media taking pictures, she said, “But there’s time for everything.” On a semi-humorous note, she added, “I’m sorry for sounding like a great grandmother but that’s what I am.”
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Feature image courtesy : Jagran.com