Mumbai: Internet personality and actress Rakhi Sawant created a stir at a recent Mumbai event with her dramatic response to veteran actor Jaya Bachchan’s recent remarks about paparazzi. Known for her flamboyant style, Rakhi arrived at the event carrying a blue drum, which she used as a tongue-in-cheek prop to warn Bachchan against targeting photographers.

On the red carpet, Rakhi addressed the cameras directly, saying, “Jaya ji, mere paps ko kuch mat bolo, warna iss drum mein main aapko lekar chali jaungi.” (Don’t say anything to my paps, or I will pack you in this drum and take you.) Her statement quickly went viral on social media.

Rakhi further defended photographers, stating that celebrities exist in the public eye because of them. She also took a swipe at Bachchan’s earlier comments on the paparazzi’s appearance, saying the veteran actor should focus on herself before criticizing others. “Aaj paps hai toh hum hai. (If there are paps, we exist. I am proud of my paps, love you,” Rakhi said, as cameras continued rolling.

In another clip, Rakhi added a playful note, saying, “Jaya Bachchan ji, I love you so much. Jab aapki ‘Mili’ film aayi thi tabse mai aapse pyaar karti hu, lekin please Jaya Bachchan ji aap mere media ke liye, mere paps ke liye kuch mat boliye (Jaya Bachchan ji, I love you so much. I have loved you ever since your film ‘Mili’ released, but please don’t say anything about my media or my paps).”

She even offered fashion advice in jest, saying, “Aap khud sochiye aap konse kapde pehente hai, agar aapko kisi designer ki zaroorat hai toh mai deti hu number (Think about the clothes you wear yourself, and if you need a designer, I can give you a contact.)”

What did Jaya Bachchan say about paparazzi

The controversy began days earlier when Jaya Bachchan criticised paparazzi at a public event. She spoke about their behaviour and attire, saying some photographers act as if owning a mobile phone gives them the right to invade privacy, and even mocked their looks, suggesting they did not dress appropriately. Bachchan has repeatedly spoken out against paparazzi culture, calling her relationship with them “zero.”

Addressing online criticism and being labelled as “most hated” on social media, Bachchan stated that she was unbothered by public opinion and accused photographers of behaving like intruders sneaking into people’s lives with cameras.