Mumbai: Actor Taapsee Pannu has spoken candidly about uncomfortable experiences faced by female performers in the Indian film industry, particularly during her work in South Indian cinema. In a recent appearance on the Shubhankar Mishra Podcast, she reflected on how certain aesthetic suggestions on set can cross professional boundaries and shift attention away from performance.
Taapsee, who has worked extensively across Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam and Hindi films, said that at times directors in the South would ask actresses to wear padded bras during song sequences or scenes intended to accentuate specific physical features. She described how such instructions are often communicated indirectly, moving from the director to the assistant director, then to the styling and wardrobe teams, and finally to the actor.
‘Just imagine how embarrassing it would be’
According to Taapsee, the chain of communication itself can make the situation more uncomfortable. “Just imagine how embarrassing it would be,” she said, explaining how an actor might be asked to step aside mid-shoot while others observe, simply to check whether a visual change made a noticeable difference on camera.
She pointed out that such requests can draw undue attention to a performer’s body rather than her craft. “Eventually, you realise the attention shifts from your performance to your body,” she noted during the discussion.
Taapsee’s remarks have resonated widely, especially as conversations around representation and workplace boundaries in the entertainment industry continue to evolve.
Differences in framing across industries
The actor also spoke about what she sees as differences in how female bodies are framed in various regional film industries. Taapsee observed that South Indian commercial films have often placed emphasis on the midriff, while Hindi cinema has traditionally focused more on cleavage.
“I have tried to understand this pattern over the years,” she said, adding that such visual choices are frequently treated as routine elements of mainstream filmmaking rather than practices that warrant scrutiny.
While acknowledging that glamour has long been part of commercial cinema, Taapsee stressed that there is a fine line between styling and objectification. “There’s nothing wrong with looking good on screen,” she clarified. “But when the focus becomes very specific to certain body parts, it can distract from the character you’re playing.”
A wider conversation on industry norms
Taapsee’s comments have sparked broader discussions on social media about how actresses are presented in mainstream films and whether long-standing industry conventions need re-evaluation.
Over the past decade, several actors across industries have spoken about the pressures of conforming to particular beauty standards or visual expectations. Taapsee’s remarks add to that ongoing conversation, especially regarding how decisions made on set can impact an actor’s comfort and dignity.
She concluded by reiterating the core of her concern: that performers should ultimately be remembered for their work rather than for how their bodies were framed on screen.
“At the end of the day, we are actors,” she said. “The audience should remember the performance, not just how a body part was framed.”
As debates around representation, consent and professionalism continue within the entertainment industry, Taapsee’s candid reflections highlight the need for clearer boundaries and greater sensitivity on film sets across the country.
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