Kajol has addressed the comparisons that have arisen between her and veteran actress Jaya Bachchan, particularly regarding her interactions with the paparazzi and public. The actress was promoting her upcoming horror-thriller film, Maa, when she was asked about her "scary" image and the frequent comparisons to Jaya Bachchan that have surfaced due to viral videos of her schooling the paparazzi.

In response, Kajol offered a candid and humorous take, stating, "It's okay if you believe that I'm scary, please go watch Maa." She also shared how her children react to these videos, saying that they find her "natural" and that her on-screen persona reflects her true self.

The comparisons between Kajol and Jaya Bachchan often stem from instances where both actresses have been seen expressing their displeasure with the paparazzi. For example, a video went viral in October 2024 showing Kajol visibly upset at a Durga Puja pandal, urging guests to remove their shoes and show respect for the puja. This incident led to a flurry of comments online, with many netizens drawing parallels between Kajol's behavior and Jaya Bachchan's well-known aversion to paparazzi.

Kajol has also spoken about the pressures of paparazzi culture, expressing her opinion that the media often provokes reactions from celebrities to create viral content with negative taglines. "They coax you, they push you, till you have to! Not scream back at them, but at least say, 'listen guys calm down.' You know, you don't need to yell and scream to get a good picture," she explained. She believes that the focus has shifted from simply capturing a picture or video to eliciting a reaction that can be sensationalized.

Addressing the online negativity and trolling she faced after the Durga Puja incident, Kajol shared her perspective on social media. She acknowledged that she didn't grow up with social media and that her understanding of it is primarily as a tool for sharing her thoughts and words. She emphasized that she doesn't post about her everyday activities because she believes it can be detrimental.

Kriti Sanon, who co-stars with Kajol in the upcoming film Do Patti, defended Kajol's authenticity, stating, "Real, that's what she is. Nahi toh life me bhi acting karni padegi toh it becomes very tough yaar." Kajol also reacted to being called "Jaya Bachchan 2.0," responding with humor and admiration, saying, "She's fabulous. Exactly! I love her."

Kajol has also emphasized that she will not change herself to fit someone else's idea of how a celebrity should behave. She added, "I'm not perfect, and I do get angry, and I have bad days, and I have good days—fewer good days than bad days. But whatever!".

In April 2025, another incident occurred where Kajol scolded paparazzi for interrupting her conversation with Ananya Panday at a film screening, which further fueled the comparisons to Jaya Bachchan. Despite the criticism and comparisons, Kajol seems unfazed, maintaining her candid and forthright demeanor.