The Bollywood community gathered in Mumbai on Sunday to pay their final respects to legendary actor and filmmaker Manoj Kumar, who passed away at the age of 87. The solemn prayer meet drew several prominent figures from the industry, united in their tribute to the late icon.
However, amidst the quiet remembrance, a surprising moment involving veteran actress Jaya Bachchan became the center of attention online.
A video clip shared on Instagram captured a brief but intense exchange. Jaya Bachchan, seen standing at the venue in a simple white churidaar in line with the somber mood, was approached by an elderly woman dressed in a green saree. The woman gently tapped her on the shoulder, seemingly in an innocent gesture. But what followed caught many off guard. Jaya immediately turned, firmly grabbed the woman’s arm, and moved her aside. Her annoyance became more apparent as she glared at a man—likely the woman’s husband—who was recording the moment on his phone. Jaya appeared visibly upset and said something in a stern tone before walking away.
Despite the viral video, Jaya was also seen greeting Manoj Kumar’s family with folded hands and interacting respectfully with other guests. She had arrived alone, with husband Amitabh Bachchan notably absent from the meet. However, Amitabh had paid his respects the previous day at Manoj Kumar’s funeral, where he shared a warm moment with veteran writer Salim Khan. The two exchanged smiles, shook hands, and embraced, with Abhishek Bachchan also seen warmly greeting Salim.
The video has since divided social media, with opinions clashing over Jaya’s reaction—some defending her, others criticizing the outburst. What was intended as a heartfelt farewell to a legend became a moment of unexpected controversy.
