Taapsee Pannu reacts to 'Jaya Bachchan lite' tag over 'rude' behaviour with paps

Taapsee Pannu has often been compared to Jaya Bachchan for her no-nonsense approach towards the paparazzi. While some social media users have dubbed her the ‘dusri Jaya Bachchan’ or ‘Jaya Bachchan lite’, Taapsee sees the comparison in a positive light.

“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,” Taapsee told News18.

The comparison comes from Taapsee’s well-known friction with the paparazzi. One of the most talked-about incidents took place in 2022, when she was promoting Dobaaraa. She got into an argument with photographers after they complained about her being late. Taapsee objected to what she felt was rude behaviour and said she did not appreciate being treated as though the photographers were doing her a favour by taking her pictures.

The incident sparked criticism online, with some paparazzi calling her rude and angry. A photographer later claimed that members of the paparazzi fraternity did not particularly enjoy photographing her because of her attitude towards them.

Taapsee, however, insists that she has never been disrespectful to the photographers or raised her voice at them. According to the actor, the issue is less about anger and more about her refusal to compromise on personal boundaries. She believes this can make her intimidating to some people.

“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,” she said.

Taapsee added that she is expected to be more accommodating and polite, even when photographers themselves raise their voices at her.

“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,” she said.

She also questioned why photographers need to repeatedly shout her name when they are already standing close to her.

“After I grew up, nobody has ever shouted at me apart from my parents. They keep yelling, ‘Taapsee! Taapsee! Taapsee!’. If you’re standing close to me, why do you want to shout?”

Taapsee maintained that she has never responded to them in the same tone, despite feeling that she could have.

The actor also took aim at the headlines and captions used alongside videos of her interactions with the paparazzi. She said that when she is genuinely angry with someone, she does not argue with them.

“When I’m truly angry, I shut down, go quiet and look through you. I don’t engage with people I’m angry with. I know myself. I’ve been respectful,” Taapsee said.

She believes the ‘angry Taapsee’ narrative is largely driven by clickbait. Explaining why such headlines continue to be used, Taapsee said a positive interaction simply would not attract the same attention.

“If the caption says that Taapsee was so nice and sweet, nobody will click on it. Nobody would care about that. People will be curious only if the tagline says that Taapsee was angry and that she snapped,” she said.

Calling it a mutually beneficial cycle, Taapsee added, “This is clickbait and it’s helping them run their pages. I’m helping them get views. I’m glad that I’ve some impact on their lives,” she said with a laugh.

Taapsee Pannu was recently seen in Netflix's Gandhari.