Taapsee Pannu Opens Up on On-Set Pressures

Actor Taapsee Pannu has spoken about uncomfortable experiences she faced while working in South Indian cinema, saying certain on-set requests made her feel embarrassed.

In a recent appearance on a YouTube podcast hosted by Shubhankar Mishra, Taapsee discussed how some filmmakers in Tamil and Telugu industries allegedly ask actresses to wear padded bras during song shoots to enhance their appearance on screen.

“It Gets Embarrassing”

Responding to a question about why some regional films focus heavily on specific body parts in song sequences, Taapsee said she has often wondered the same.

She explained that in some cases, directors would indirectly convey such instructions through assistant directors or styling teams, especially since there are usually very few women present on set.

According to her, this process can become awkward during shoots. She described situations where actresses are asked to step away mid-shoot to make adjustments, only to be told later that the visual difference is not noticeable, leading to repeated changes.

Taapsee said such moments can feel embarrassing, particularly when everyone on set is watching and waiting.

Visual Framing in Cinema

During the conversation, she also observed that visual emphasis differs across film industries. She said some South Indian films tend to focus on the navel in song sequences, while Hindi cinema often highlights cleavage.

She noted that such choices are sometimes made under the belief that they cater to audience expectations or visual appeal.

Taapsee’s Current Work

Taapsee is currently seen in Assi, a courtroom drama directed by Anubhav Sinha.

The film follows the story of a married woman who is abducted and sexually assaulted, and the legal battle that follows. Taapsee plays the role of a lawyer in the film.

Assi also features Kani Kusruti, Mohd Zeeshan Ayyub, Manoj Pahwa, Seema Pahwa, Kumud Mishra, Revathy, Naseeruddin Shah and Supriya Pathak. The project is produced by T-Series and Benaras Mediaworks.

Taapsee’s remarks have added to ongoing conversations about gender dynamics and representation in the film industry.