Huma Qureshi reacts to Jaya Bachchan's remarks paparazzi; says, 'There’s a limit people should not cross'

Huma Qureshi has weighed in on the ongoing debate around paparazzi culture in the wake of Jaya Bachchan’s sharp criticism of photographers. While acknowledging the discomfort and boundary violations that celebrities often face, Huma also admitted that the relationship between stars and paparazzi is not one-sided, and that celebrities themselves frequently rely on photographers for visibility.

Speaking to India Today, Huma described her relationship with the paparazzi as largely cordial and professional. She stressed that photographers play an important role in the entertainment ecosystem and that actors, too, benefit from their presence. “I think they are also important. I won’t lie, but we use them when we need to promote our films or bring a certain aspect of our lives into the public eye. There have been times when we needed to promote our films, so we invited them to premieres. When we want to be spotted somewhere, we call them. I don’t want to put all the blame on them,” she said.

Huma further explained that over the years, she has developed a mutual understanding with photographers. According to her, clear communication often helps avoid uncomfortable situations. When she is not feeling well or does not wish to be photographed, she simply lets them know. “Most of the time, they respect that,” she added.

However, Huma did not dismiss the darker side of paparazzi culture. She openly spoke about the intrusive behaviour women in the industry often face, including inappropriate questions and uncomfortable camera angles. “If you want to intrude on my privacy, you will ask questions that I won’t find appropriate… There’s a limit people should not cross, but we do cross it. As a female actress, I have experienced all of this,” she said, recalling a particularly inappropriate question she was once asked during a press conference.