Filmmaker slams Jaya Bachchan, says her opinion of paps reeks of snobbish elitism

Mumbai: Filmmaker Ashoke Pandit lashed out at Jaya Bachchan for her classist opinions on paps. The activist and filmmaker shared a strongly worded note on social media after the veteran actress referred to the paps as 'guys who wear tight, dirty drain-pipe pants'. 

"Jaya Bachchan ji's statement against the paparazzi reeks of snobbish elitism. To criticize the aggressive coverage of certain paps is one thing, but to demean the profession altogether, laced with downright classic remarks, is unbecoming of such a senior member of our film industry and a parliamentarian," wrote the filmmaker and activist. 

He continued, "They are hardworking professionals doing their job, for which most times they've been called by the stars and their PR teams themselves. So if she has such a strong opinion against the paparazzi culture, it's time to look inwards rather than indulge in this misplaced outrage." 

Bachchan, in an interview with Mojo Story, was asked about her relationship with the media. Responding to the question, she stated, "My relationship with the media is fantastic. I'm the product of the media, but my relationship with the paparazzi is zero. Who are these people? Are they trained to represent the people of this country? You call them media?"

Further, she talked about how her father was a journalist and continued to express her dislike for the paps. 

"I come from the media. My father was a journalist. I have immense respect for such people. But these guys who wear tight, dirty drain-pipe pants and carry a mobile phone in their hand they think they have a mobile in their hand so they can take your picture?" said the actress. She added, "The kind of comments they passWhat kind of people are these people? Where do these people come from? What kind of education do they have? What background do they have? They will represent us? Just because they can get through YouTube or whatever social media." 

The veteran actress has often clashed with the paps by refusing to be photographed or by schooling them.