Taapsee Pannu, who has built a strong presence across Telugu, Tamil, Hindi, and Malayalam cinema, recently opened up about the uncomfortable and often awkward experiences female actors face while working in the South Indian film industry. Speaking candidly on Shubhankar Mishra’s YouTube podcast, the actor reflected on certain industry practices that objectify women and create embarrassing situations on set.
During the conversation, Taapsee addressed a long-discussed trend in regional cinema — the visual emphasis on specific body parts in song sequences. When asked why Bhojpuri and South Indian films often focus on the navel, she admitted that she too has tried to understand the reasoning behind this cinematic choice. According to her, while many South films tend to frame shots highlighting the navel, Hindi cinema often shifts its visual attention toward cleavage. She noted that such framing choices are usually made in the belief that they cater to audience fantasies and enhance visual appeal.
However, what troubled her more were the behind-the-scenes realities that accompany such demands. Taapsee revealed that in Tamil and Telugu films, heroines are sometimes asked to wear padded bras to accentuate their appearance on screen. She explained how the process of communicating such instructions can itself be deeply uncomfortable. On many film sets, there are only one or two women among a largely male crew. As a result, a director may hesitate to directly convey such a request to the actress. Instead, the message is often passed through multiple intermediaries — from the director to the assistant director, then to the styling team or a female member of the hair department — before it finally reaches the actor.
She described how awkward it feels when these changes are demanded in the middle of a shoot, especially during song sequences. An actress may be asked to step away from the set to make adjustments while everyone else waits and watches. Upon returning, she might be told that the “difference” is still not noticeable, prompting her to repeat the process. Taapsee emphasized how embarrassing and dehumanizing such situations can be, as the focus shifts from performance to physical appearance.
The actor pointed out that these practices stem from a larger mindset in commercial cinema where certain body parts are deliberately highlighted to boost glamour and attract audiences. While such portrayals have long been normalized, Taapsee’s remarks shed light on the emotional toll they can take on performers. Her candid comments sparked conversations about objectification, gender imbalance on film sets, and the need for more sensitivity in filmmaking.
Despite these challenges, Taapsee has consistently chosen roles that prioritize substance over superficiality. She is currently seen in Assi, a courtroom drama directed by Anubhav Sinha. The film marks another collaboration between the actor and the filmmaker after their critically acclaimed projects Mulk and Thappad.
In Assi, Taapsee plays a lawyer fighting for justice in a harrowing sexual assault case. The story revolves around Parima, portrayed by Kani Kusruti, a married woman living in Delhi who is abducted and assaulted by a group of men. The narrative focuses on the traumatic aftermath, the police investigation, and the legal battle that follows. By placing the spotlight on systemic issues and the pursuit of justice, the film aims to provoke thought and dialogue.
The ensemble cast includes Mohd Zeeshan Ayyub, Manoj Pahwa, Seema Pahwa, Kumud Mishra, Revathy, Naseeruddin Shah, and Supriya Pathak. The film is produced by T-Series in collaboration with Benaras Mediaworks.
Through both her off-screen honesty and on-screen choices, Taapsee Pannu continues to challenge conventions and speak up about issues that many in the industry may hesitate to address publicly.
