Veteran actor
Rajendra Chawla has weighed in strongly on the ongoing debate around paparazzi culture and media sensationalism, triggered by Jaya Bachchan’s recent remarks. Known for his grounded views and blunt honesty, Chawla didn’t hold back as he called out what he described as the media’s obsession with “selling moments.”
“Ye masala hai... aap bechte hai isko”
Reacting to how trivial incidents often snowball into controversies, Rajendra Chawla said sensationalism has become a full-fledged business model.
“Ye masala hai, jispe aapka dhandha chalta hai, aap bechte hai isko. Agar ye sab masala na daala jaaye aur sabko ek bhaav mein rakhe, toh woh kaise bikega?” he questioned in an interview with Bollywood Bubble. (This is spice — your business runs on it, you sell it. If you don’t add this spice and treat everything neutrally, how will it sell?)
He pointed out how even the smallest issues are exaggerated to grab attention. “Spice toh chahiye na life mein. Aur woh spice aap log hi create karte hai. Itni si baat hoti hai aur usko itna bada bana ke aap pesh karte hai,” he added. (Life needs spice, right? And you are the ones who create that spice. A tiny issue is blown up and presented as something huge.)
“Kaun pehle kaatega fasal” — on turning moments into breaking news
Citing past examples, Chawla lamented how sensitive situations are often turned into spectacles.
“Chahe woh koi bhi baat ho — Dharam ji ki maut ho — usko hype diya gaya, live dikhaya jaa raha hai,” he said. (No matter what the incident is — even Dharam ji’s death — it was hyped and shown live.)
Calling such incidents a “cash crop,” he added, “Wo moment bechna hai. Kaun pehle kaatega fasal, wo ladai chal rahi hai.” (That moment has to be sold. It’s a race over who harvests the crop first.)
However, he also advised actors not to get affected by it. “Ispe na toh actors ko dhyaan dene ki zarurat hai. Wo apni roti kama rahe hai, aap apni roti kamao,” he said bluntly. (Actors don’t need to bother about this. They’re earning their bread, you earn yours.)
“Thoda rukna hoga” — on paparazzi culture in India
Speaking specifically about paparazzi culture, Rajendra Chawla stressed the need for restraint.
“Thoda rukna hoga, thoda zyada ho gaya. Thoda apni seemaon mein, apne culture mein rahe,” he said. (There needs to be a pause; it has gone a bit too far. Stay within limits and within our cultural boundaries.)
While he acknowledged that adapting to new trends is important, he added a caution: “Naya kuch seekhna humesha welcome hai, but thoda.” (Learning something new is always welcome — but in moderation.)
“82 saal mein bhi bhook khatam nahi hui” — recalling Amitabh Bachchan
On a more reflective note, Chawla fondly recalled meeting Amitabh Bachchan during a Manyavar advertisement shoot and spoke with deep admiration about the megastar.
“Main unko idol isiliye maanta hu kyunki 82 saal hone ke bawajood, itni bimariyon ke saath bhi unki bhook khatam nahi ho rahi,” he said. (I consider him my idol because even at 82, despite so many health issues, his hunger hasn’t diminished.)
Praising Bachchan’s journey, he added, “Naam, paisa, shohrat, role, acting — sab prove kar chuke hai. Ab kya proof karna baaki hai?” (He has proven everything — name, money, fame, roles, acting. What is left to prove?)
What moves him the most, Chawla said, is Bachchan’s undying spirit. “Lade jaa rahe hai... kehte hai mera ant bhi ho toh yahi ho,” he shared. (He keeps fighting... he even says that if his end comes, he wants it to be here, working.)
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