Taapsee Pannu has worked across Hindi, Telugu, Tamil and Malayalam cinema. That wide experience gives her a clear view of how different industries function. In a recent interview, the actress spoke openly about how women are objectified in song sequences and the uncomfortable moments actresses sometimes face on set.
During a conversation with Shubhankar Mishra, Taapsee reflected on her journey, from growing up in a middle-class family in Delhi to starring in her latest film Assi. However, it was her comments about song picturisation that quickly drew attention.
Taapsee Pannu On South Industry’s Navel Obsession
When asked why Bhojpuri and South Indian films often highlight the navel in dance numbers, Taapsee Pannu responded candidly. She said, “I’m also trying to understand. It’s not that item songs in Hindi cinema don’t focus on it, but it’s not as much as in South Cinema. Hindi cinema is more about cleavage.”
Taapsee then shared a behind-the-scenes reality that highlighted how awkward such situations can become. She revealed, “In the South, they are often asked to wear a padded bra. And the problem is, who does the director even tell on set?”
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She explained that requests like these often pass through multiple crew members before reaching the actress. According to her, this chain of communication can turn a private adjustment into a visibly awkward moment. She added, “Imagine how embarrassing it would be. You’re shooting a song, someone gets up in the middle, walks off, everyone knows exactly what’s happening. All the men are sitting there, watching what looks different when you come back.”
When Taapsee Pannu Apologised For Her Comments
This is not the first time Taapsee Pannu has spoken about her early days in South cinema. In an earlier interview, she described an incident from her debut film that unexpectedly became controversial.
She recalled how sensuality in certain films was expressed through a strong focus on the midriff. During filming, a coconut was thrown at her midriff as part of a shot.
She laughed and said, “I don’t know what’s sensuous about a coconut hitting my midriff.”
The comment quickly went viral and led to backlash from sections of Telugu cinema audiences. Some viewers felt the remark undermined a respected filmmaker’s style.
Taapsee later issued a public apology and said, “I didn’t intend to hurt anyone. I wanted to make fun of myself and how my debut film happened to me. It took me a little while to understand that what I said was wrong. I really want to apologise if I hurt anyone’s sentiments.”
The filmmaker she referred to was K Raghavendra Rao, who directed Jhummandi Naadam.
Taapsee’s Work Front
Before gaining recognition in Bollywood with films like Baby and Pink, she spent several years working in South Indian cinema. She made her acting debut with the Telugu film Jhummandi Naadam in 2010. That project marked the beginning of her multi-year career in Telugu, Tamil and Malayalam films.
Before Assi, her last release was Akshay Kumar’s Khel Khel Mein. She will now appear in the Netflix action film Gandhari.
