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Taapsee Pannu Clarifies ‘Cleavage vs Midriff’ Comments, Calls It an Industry-Wide Obsession

She recounts awkward, indirect requests on male-dominated Telugu sets early in her career.

Overview

  • Taapsee Pannu says her earlier remarks were taken out of context and that the core problem is a male gaze pervasive across film industries.
  • She clarifies she did not intend to label Hindi cinema as focused on cleavage or the South on midriffs, describing her comments as personal experience.
  • Pannu notes she was not asked to expose her midriff or pad bras in Bollywood, whereas such requests occurred during some South projects.
  • Explaining early choices, she says she followed directors’ instructions as a newcomer unless a demand crossed a line, calling the relay of such requests awkward on sets with few women.
  • Coverage also points to her recent film Assi, with praise for her performance, a mixed critical response overall, and box-office collections topping ₹5 crore.