Last Updated on 3 weeks ago by Aman Kumar
Taapsee Pannu, one of Bollywood’s most outspoken actresses, recently sparked widespread discussion with her candid comments on the Indian film industry’s persistent focus on female actors’ bodies—specifically cleavage and midriff—in song sequences and glamorous portrayals.
In interviews given in early 2026, while promoting her film Assi, she addressed misconceptions around her earlier remarks, highlighted uncomfortable on-set experiences, and defended an actor’s right to embrace glamorous roles without compromising their talent or credibility.
Her statements, primarily from appearances on podcasts like Shubhankar Mishra’s and clarifications in outlets such as Galatta Plus, have reignited conversations about the male gaze, regional differences in cinema, and the evolving role of women in Indian entertainment.
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The Viral Remarks: Cleavage vs. Midriff Debate
Taapsee’s comments originated from a discussion on Shubhankar Mishra’s podcast, where she was asked about the perceived obsession in South Indian (particularly Tamil and Telugu) and Bhojpuri cinema with exposing the navel or midriff during item songs and dance numbers. She responded by noting regional stylistic differences: “Hindi cinema is more about cleavage, South cinema is about the navel.”
This observation quickly went viral, with clips circulating widely on social media and news platforms. Many interpreted it as a direct comparison pitting Bollywood against South Indian industries. However, Taapsee later clarified in an interview with Galatta Plus that her words were taken out of context.
She emphasized that the core issue isn’t a competition between body parts but a broader “obsession” with framing women through a specific gaze. “For me, the issue is about a certain gaze, whether it is the cleavage or the midriff,” she stated. “I don’t know what the obsession is, but let’s own that there’s an obsession, whether in Hindi or in the South.”
This clarification shifted the narrative from regional rivalry to a unified critique of how female bodies are objectified across Indian cinema. She pointed out that even in Hindi films, midriff exposure occurs, though perhaps less dominantly in certain sequences.
For reference, see the full context in her Hindustan Times coverage: Taapsee Pannu talks about film industry’s obsession with female actors’ cleavage, midriff and Indian Express clarification: Taapsee Pannu says focusing on female actors’ ‘cleavage or midriff’ is an ‘obsession’.
Uncomfortable On-Set Realities in South Cinema
significant portion of Taapsee’s discussion focused on her early career experiences in South Indian films (starting around 2010 in Telugu and Tamil industries). She revealed awkward behind-the-scenes moments where female actors faced direct instructions to enhance their appearance for the camera.
In one instance, she described how directors or crew members would suggest wearing padded bras to accentuate certain features, often communicated indirectly due to the male-dominated sets. “South mein bhi bola jaata hai ke wear padded bra,” she recalled, explaining the embarrassment when an actress had to step away during a shoot, only for the director to check the “difference” upon return—sometimes multiple times.
She noted this was particularly prevalent in Telugu films, where she did some glamorous roles, unlike in Tamil cinema. In contrast, she said Bollywood never pressured her similarly because she avoided such overtly glamorous parts in Hindi projects early on. “I was never asked to expose my midriff or pad my bras in Bollywood,” she said, attributing it to her selective role choices.
These anecdotes highlight the humiliation and awkwardness female actors can endure, often in environments with few women present, making direct communication challenging. Taapsee stressed that such practices shift focus from performance to physical attributes, undermining an actor’s agency.
Defending the Choice of Glamorous Roles
Despite critiquing the industry’s gaze, Taapsee firmly defended actors’ freedom to take on glamorous roles. She argued there’s nothing inherently wrong with embracing sensuality or glamour if it’s a conscious choice. “I never look back at it thinking I wish I hadn’t done those parts,” she said regarding her South Indian glamorous work.
Her stance promotes empowerment: actors should have the autonomy to decide their on-screen portrayal without judgment. Glamour, she implied, doesn’t diminish talent or credibility—it’s one facet of performance. This view aligns with her broader advocacy for women in film to break stereotypes and choose diverse roles.
By owning her past decisions while calling out systemic issues, Taapsee presents a balanced perspective: critique the objectification, but respect individual agency.
Aman Kumar is a BAMS Ayurvedic doctor based in Odisha, a passionate singer, and a dedicated cinephile who has watched thousands of Bollywood and Hollywood films. Having cracked NEET five times with 500+ and 600+ scores, he now freely mentors NEET aspirants while sharing movie insights, reviews, updates, and Ayurvedic wellness tips .
