'South is about navel, Hindi cinema is more about cleavage': 'Assi' actress Taapsee Pannu exposes regional body objectification

Having built a career across Telugu, Tamil, Hindi and Malayalam industries, Taapsee Pannu says her experiences on different film sets shaped both her craft and perspective. Speaking in a recent interview about her upbringing in Delhi and her latest project ‘Assi’, she also opened up about an uncomfortable subject rarely discussed publicly: how female bodies are treated during song shoots.When questioned about the strong emphasis on the midriff in Bhojpuri and South film songs, Taapsee admitted she still finds it puzzling. Talking to SCREEN, she shared, “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.” Her response highlighted how visual grammar differs across regional industries. The actor then revealed an awkward behind-the-scenes practice she witnessed while working down South. “In the South, they are often asked to wear a padded bra. And the problem is, who does the director even tell on set?” She said, describing how instructions pass through multiple crew members before reaching the actress.Pannu painted a vivid picture of the discomfort involved: “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.”Taapsee also revisited an earlier anecdote about a director who reportedly highlighted sensuality through the midriff. She recalled a coconut being tossed at her stomach during filming and joked, “I don’t know what’s sensuous about a coconut hitting my midriff.” The remark quickly went viral and triggered backlash from Telugu audiences.The filmmaker she referenced was veteran director K. Raghavendra Rao, known for his stylised portrayal of heroines over a four-decade career. Following criticism, Taapsee issued an apology, clarifying her intent. “I didn’t intend to hurt anyone,” she said, adding, “I wanted to make fun of myself and how my debut film happened to me… I really want to apologise if I hurt anyone’s sentiments.”Long before becoming a prominent Hindi film star, Taapsee established herself in the South. She debuted opposite Manchu Manoj in the Telugu musical drama ‘Jhummandi Naadam’. Her transition to Bollywood gained momentum years later with acclaimed performances in ‘Baby’ and ‘Pink’. Taapsee Pannu’s latest film ‘Assi’ hit screens on February 20, 2026. Directed by Anubhav Sinha, this intense courtroom drama also stars Revathi and Naseeruddin Shah, delving into multiple sexual assault cases while portraying the psychological scars of violence and the harsh complexities of the justice system in a high-stakes narrative.