With only hours left before the commencement of Navratri, pandals across Mumbai have been brightly decorated as devotees prepare to welcome Goddess Durga. Amid the festive preparations, actor Tanishaa Mukerji, sister of Kajol, made a direct request to the photographers and reporters who cover the celebrations. Speaking at an event, she urged the media to exercise restraint, prevent pushing and jostling in crowded spaces, and look out for people around them. Mukerji also specifically called on the photographers not to intentionally provoke or disturb veteran actor Jaya Bachchan during the festive period.
Request for Restraint and Consideration
Addressing the gathering of media personnel, Tanishaa Mukerji pointed out that certain photographers deliberately try to trigger reactions from senior personalities. Requesting them to maintain decorum during the spiritual festival, she said, "Please do not trouble our Jaya aunty, alright?" She noted that she has seen individuals intentionally going out of their way to provoke the veteran actor, urging everyone to completely avoid such behavior during the auspicious days of Durga Puja.
The Mukherjee Family Durga Puja Tradition
Her remarks carry added weight because the Mukherjee family hosts one of Mumbai's most widely attended celebrations, the North Bombay Sarbojanin Durga Puja. Every year, Kajol, Tanishaa, and their family members actively organise and supervise this grand gathering. The pandal is a prominent cultural hotspot in the city, drawing massive crowds as well as a large number of Bollywood stars who arrive to seek blessings. Actor Rani Mukerji also remains present at the pandal throughout all nine days of the festival to participate in the rituals and community festivities.
Jaya Bachchan's Annual Pandal Visits
Jaya Bachchan is a regular visitor to the Mukherjee family's Durga Puja marquee every autumn. She shares an affectionate and long-standing bond with Kajol and the extended Mukherjee family, often seen spending quality time with them inside the pandal. Given her routine presence at the event, Tanishaa was keen to ensure that the surrounding media presence remains courteous and does not disrupt the solemn and joyful atmosphere of the temple enclosure.
Paparazzi Tensions and Lighter Public Moments
Over the years, Jaya Bachchan has had several tense interactions with the media fraternity at public venues. She has consistently expressed displeasure over deafening shouts, intrusive flashes, and photographers breaching her personal space in public areas. However, an entirely contrasting side of the actor was witnessed recently during a book launch event for Gulzar, where she was seen laughing, cheerful, and in high spirits. That appearance drew surprise and widespread delighted comments across social media platforms. Tanishaa Mukerji's recent appeal aims to preserve that calm and respect during the devotional days ahead.
