From now on, it’s Jhandeya and Nickwa: The real winner at 'Indian Met Gala' were the desi paps

A user demanded Indian paparazzi to be present at all red carpet events for unlimited comedy

It would be fair to say that there were two MVPs at the launch of Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) in Mumbai’s Bandra Kurla Complex – the Hollywood and Bollywood stars turning up the heat in their regal attires and the Indian paparazzi trying to get them to smile for the camera.

After pictures and videos from the two-day event went viral on social media, Twitterati went as far as labelling the event ‘The Indian Met Gala’, given how diverse, expansive and regal the event was. From Zendaya, Penelope Cruz and Gigi Hadid in sarees to Alia Bhatt, Bhumi Pednakar and Kriti Sanon in regal fusion gowns, everyone understood the assignment.

However, while you can’t miss the stunning photographs from the event, you can also not miss the people behind the camera clicking those pictures. From calling Gigi, “Gee Gee” and Nick Jonas, “Nikwa”, to welcoming Tom Holland as “Tammy” and “Tom homecoming,” the paparazzi cracked up virtual audiences of the gala.

My favourite video on the internet 🫠 pic.twitter.com/9Zteftrt9v

— R🖤 (@findgoddd) April 2, 2023

Several video montages of the funniest pap sounds heard at the event are making rounds on social media, too. A clip begins with Priyanka Chopra calling Nick to join her on the red carpet with a pap quipping, “jija jee sharma gaye (brother-in-law is shy).” Following this, someone is heard calling Zendaya , “Jhaandeya” while asking her to “look into this mobile”. Someone else is heard speaking to Gigi in Marathi.

indian paps are hilarious 💀💀 the mix of marathi and hindi always cracks me up

— Kasturi (@kastykaykay) April 2, 2023

Imitating indian paps with my friends and I can not stop wheezing

— berry (@berryhahahaha) April 3, 2023

Twitterati also had a field day sharing the hilarious moments from event. “From shouting ae takle (Oh bald man) to Vin Diesel to screaming ‘Tommmm Tom ae Tomye at Tom Holland, nobody beats the Indian paparazzi when it comes to unintentional comedy and I think that's beautiful,” wrote a user.

from shouting ae takle to vin diesel to screaming tommmm tommm ae tomye at tom hiddleston, nobody beats the indian paparazzi when it comes to unintentional comedy and i think that's beautiful pic.twitter.com/Y9IfWgZycg

— Shreemi Verma (@shreemiverma) March 31, 2023

Indian paps are so funny. They are calling Nick Jeeju, Xenda, Ae Tommy, and Penelope pe bol rahe ke iska naam bata dena mere ko 😂😂😂

— Renée (@_foxyfeline_) April 1, 2023

Another was glad that these Hollywood celebs did not know Hindi. “More white celebs need to be photographed by Indian paparazzi on the red carpet as reparations for all the non-white names butchered by their paps,” read another tweet.

Petition to have Indian paps at all global red carpets (esp Cannes) please and thank you

— Apoorva Kanotra (@KanotraApoorva) April 2, 2023

“No, I’m sorry but ‘aye nickwaa’ is by FAR the FUNNIEST,” added a user while another claimed that paps calling Tom ‘aye tommy’ is the funniest since it sounds like “they’re calling a pet cat or dog.” One more joked, “Indian paps saying ‘Shakira hain, kaun hain ye (Is this Shakira? Who is she?)’ while Gigi posing for them can never not be funny.”

Indian paps saying *Shakira hain, kaun hain ye* while gigi posing for them can never not be funny 😂😂

— Fatima (@Fatima_khalil_) April 2, 2023

Been laughing at a video of paparazzi calling Nick Jonas "Eh Nickwaa, jijaa ji sarma gaye" for whole ek minutee aaiyaaa. Indian paps are sooo unhinged 😭😭😭

— Cactusary (@baa_jhingaa) April 2, 2023

“makdi man” is the funniest thing ever man i love indian paps😭

— 🍭 fan account (@zaynhq_) April 2, 2023

The wrong names have been etched into some users’ memories by now. “Their names have changed now. Tom is Tommy, Zendaya is Jhandeya, Gigi is Gee Gee and Spiderman is Makdi man. Sorry, but I can't stop laughing at this.”

Watching Indian paps call out to Zendaya like Jhendaya Jhendaya has been the highlight of my week

— Samya Singh (@samyyyasays) April 2, 2023

JHAANDEYA IS KILLIMG ME Indian paps are so unintentionally funny 😭😭😭😭😭 I’ve enjoyed what they are saying more than seeing what these celebs are wearing https://t.co/mEfnpvdCQx

— roman roy apologist (@AGE0FULTRON) April 2, 2023

A tweep even wants a sitcom on the Indian paparazzi now. “If the NMACC opening has taught me anything it's that I would watch multiple seasons of a sitcom following Indian paps.”

if the nmacc opening has taught me anything it's that i would watch multiple seasons of a sitcom following indian paps

— Manya Anandi (@AnandiManya) April 2, 2023

NMACC, a project by Isha Ambani, daughter of Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani, is a new cultural centre, a first-of-its-kind space, in the arts sphere. It has been created in honour of Isha's mother, Nita M Ambani, who is an educationist, businesswoman, philanthropist, and a long-time patron of the arts. NMACC is set to become a cultural landmark and a platform for showcasing India's rich cultural heritage to the world.

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