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Taapsee Pannu on being called ‘dusri Jaya Bachchan’: ‘A woman with clear boundaries is intimidating’

Taapsee Pannu addressed comparisons to Jaya Bachchan by the paparazzi, interpreting them as flattery.

Updated on: Sep 10, 2026, 12:52:57 IST
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Taapsee Pannu has had several confrontations with the paparazzi in the past. The actor has always maintained strong boundaries with photographers and has often been seen getting into arguments with them. This has led many to compare her with Jaya Bachchan, who has also been vocal about photographers invading her privacy. In a recent interaction, Taapsee reacted to the comparison.

‘Being compared to Jaya Bachchan is a compliment’

Taapsee Pannu spoke about comparisons with Jaya Bachchan.
Taapsee Pannu spoke about comparisons with Jaya Bachchan.

Reacting to being called ‘dusri Jaya Bachchan’ and ‘Jaya Bachchan lite’, 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.”

‘My boundaries are very clear’

Defending her stance against the paparazzi, 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."

The actor further suggested that the labels given to her are partly meant to generate clicks and help paparazzi run their social media pages. She said she is ultimately helping them get views.

Tara Sutaria shoves photographer

Taapsee isn't the only Bollywood celebrity to have had bitter experiences with paparazzi. Recently, Tara Sutaria shoved a photographer’s camera after he appeared to get too close to her. The actor received support on social media for her reaction.

One Reddit user questioned the way the photographer called out to Tara and wrote, “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.”

Jaya Bachchan’s take on paparazzi

Last year, Jaya was asked about her relationship with 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?”

 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Vibha Maru

Vibha Maru is an Assistant Editor with Hindustan Times Entertainment, based in Delhi. With a decade of experience across digital and print media, she covers Bollywood, Hollywood and web shows. A self-confessed cinephile who breathes Hindi cinema, Vibha can often be found sacrificing sleep after binge-watching films and web series. Though she holds a Commerce degree, she discovered her true calling in journalism after enrolling at the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC). She began her career covering Delhi's cultural scene, food, nightlife, concerts, and city life at The Times of India, before moving into full-time entertainment journalism with India Today. At India Today, Vibha interviewed some of the biggest names in Bollywood and television while carving a niche for herself through film reviews, opinion pieces, nostalgic features, celebrity interviews, and trend-driven stories. She later brought her storytelling and editorial expertise to The Indian Express, where she continued to deepen her understanding of cinema through long-form entertainment explainers, retrospectives and feature writing. Now, as Assistant Editor at Hindustan Times Entertainment, Vibha continues to chronicle the world of movies and pop culture. Her work spans breaking entertainment news, exclusive interviews, celebrity features, and stories that capture the conversations shaping Indian cinema.

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