Jaaved Jaaferi has clarified his viral “influencer” remark about his daughter Alaviaa, calling it “tongue in cheek” and not meant to offend.
Jaaved Jaaferi clarifies his viral comment about influencers, including daughter Alaviaa, stating it was “tongue in cheek.”
Jaaved Jaaferi recently addressed the buzz surrounding his viral comment about his daughter Alaviaa’s profession as a content creator and influencer. During an appearance on Prime Video India’s reality show The Tribe, the Oops Ab Kya actor had jokingly remarked, “Ye influencer na, no sar na pair. Koi bhi lukkha aa ke influencer ban raha hai (There’s no actual process to become an influencer. Any Tom, Dick, and Harry is becoming an influencer).” The statement quickly went viral, sparking a wave of reactions online.
In a recent interview with Humans of Bombay, Jaaferi clarified that his comment was made “tongue in cheek” and wasn’t intended to be offensive. He explained that his perspective stemmed from observing how people from challenging backgrounds often seek validation through social media. “I see someone dancing in a weird way, but I understand where they are coming from. It’s emotional because I know they are living a very difficult life. There is no appreciation, and they are looking for some kind of validation,” he shared, emphasizing that not everyone on social media is driven by monetization.
Jaaferi also questioned the kind of content dominating social platforms, pointing out trends like outfit transitions and lip-syncing videos. He stressed the importance of originality, saying, “There are people dancing, singing, doing martial arts, but it’s all time pass. We are consuming so much mediocrity that we are turning mediocre. It’s actually hypnotizing you, and it becomes an addiction. People are just looking and consuming, and it’s all nonsense.”
Highlighting the true essence of influence, Jaaferi argued that real influencers are those who inspire meaningful change. “An influencer is actually somebody who influences others through their actions. Look at Mahatma Gandhi, Anna Hazare, and Nelson Mandela—they started movements that truly influenced people,” he explained.
For those unaware, Jaaved’s initial remark during The Tribe had sparked debate, with many interpreting it as a dig at modern-day influencers. However, his recent clarification sheds light on his broader perspective, advocating for authenticity and meaningful impact in the world of social media.
