Mumbai: The festive season of Durga Puja saw Bollywood stars Kajol and Jaya Bachchan come together, but what caught everyone’s attention wasn’t just their appearance at the pandal, but their mutual irritation with the paparazzi. In a now-viral video from the 2024 Durga Puja celebrations, both actresses were visibly upset with the photographers, who were relentlessly capturing the moments at the pandal. Their reactions have sparked discussions online, with netizens dubbing them “clones” due to their similar behavior toward the paparazzi.
Kajol, who hosts Durga Puja festivities every year with her family, is known for inviting close friends and colleagues from the film industry. This year, among the invitees was Jaya Bachchan, her long-time friend and former co-star from Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham. While the festive occasion brought back memories of their iconic on-screen pairing, the mood turned sour as both actresses appeared visibly annoyed by the overwhelming presence of photographers.
In one clip, Kajol can be seen sternly asking the paparazzi to step aside as they were blocking the way for guests who wanted to visit the pandal. Her frustration was evident as she urged the photographers to allow people to enjoy the religious event without disruption. Similarly, Jaya Bachchan, who has often expressed her disdain for the paparazzi, was seen reacting in anger when one of the photographers reportedly whistled to get their attention. She immediately called for the behavior to stop, expressing her displeasure.
This isn’t the first time both Kajol and Jaya Bachchan have shown their irritation with the paparazzi culture. Jaya, in particular, has been vocal in the past about her disapproval of being photographed in public spaces without her consent. She has had several instances where she scolded photographers for clicking pictures or intruding on her personal space. Kajol, though less outspoken, has also had her share of frustrations with the relentless nature of the paparazzi, particularly during public events where personal space and decorum are often overlooked.
As the videos circulated on social media, netizens were quick to draw comparisons between Kajol and Jaya Bachchan, pointing out their shared dislike for the paparazzi’s invasive behavior. Many users took to platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, humorously calling them “clones” due to their identical reactions. Comments like “Jaya Bachchan and Kajol are two sides of the same coin” and “They’ve become clones when it comes to dealing with the paparazzi” flooded social media, with some fans even creating memes comparing the actresses’ similar temperaments.
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However, while some users found humor in the situation, others defended Kajol and Jaya Bachchan’s reactions, agreeing that the paparazzi often cross boundaries, especially during private or religious gatherings. Several users expressed that the stars have a right to be upset when photographers behave inappropriately or disrupt the sanctity of the occasion. One comment read, “It’s a religious event, not a photo op. They have every right to ask for privacy.” Another user chimed in, saying, “Paparazzi need to understand that not everything is for the camera. Sometimes, people want peace, especially during festivals like Durga Puja.”
The Durga Puja celebrations, which are a significant cultural event for Kajol and her family, have always been a time of gathering and joy. The actress, whose mother Tanuja and sister Tanishaa Mukerji are also actively involved in the festivities, often welcomes close friends and family to join in the rituals. Despite the brief tension with the paparazzi, Kajol was seen enjoying the celebration with her loved ones, offering prayers and participating in the traditional customs. Likewise, Jaya Bachchan was spotted interacting with close friends at the pandal.
In the end, while the paparazzi moment created a buzz, the spirit of Durga Puja remained intact, and fans were reminded of the strong bond between Kajol and Jaya Bachchan, both on and off-screen. Their shared no-nonsense attitude towards the intrusive media only solidified their camaraderie, making the event one to remember for reasons beyond the religious festivities. As the internet continues to buzz with discussions, it’s clear that Kajol and Jaya’s united front against the paparazzi has left a lasting impression on fans and netizens alike.
