10 September,2026 05:33 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Taapsee Pannu and Jaya Bachchan. Pics via X and Instagram
Taapsee Pannu has often drawn comparisons with veteran actress Jaya Bachchan for her no-nonsense approach towards the paparazzi. Many users on social media have also given her the title of âsecond Jaya Bachchan' or âJaya Bachchan lite.' Taapsee has now reacted to the comparison saying she takes it in a positive light.
While talking to News18, Taapsee said, "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."
Talking of her boundaries, the actress said, "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."
The actress further added that she is expected to be more accommodating and polite, even after 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 shared.
Taapse also questioned why photographers need to repeatedly shout her name when they are already standing close. "After I grew up, nobody has ever shouted at me apart from my parents. They keep yelling, âTaapsee! Taapsee! Taapsee!'. If you're standing close to me, why do you want to shout?"
She maintained that she has never responded to the photographers in the same tone, despite feeling that she could have. The actor also took a dig at the headlines and captions that are used alongside videos of her interactions with the paparazzi.
"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," she said, adding that the âangry Taapsee' narrative is largely driven by clickbait. Further explaining why such headlines continue to be used, Taapsee says that a positive interaction 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. 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.
The comparison comes from Taapsee's infamous interaction with the paparazzi, which took place in 2022, when she was promoting Dobaaraa. The actress got into an argument with photographers after they complained about her being late. Taapsee reportedly objected to their rude behaviour. She also said she did not want to be treated as though the photographers were doing her a favour by taking her pictures.
The incident sparked backlash, with some paparazzi calling her rude and angry. However, in her latest interview, Taapsee, who was recently involved in a social media exchange with Kangana Ranaut, maintained that she has never been disrespectful to the photographers or raised her voice at them.
