Taapsee Pannu: South Directors Demand Padded Bras

Actress Taapsee Pannu has shed light on uncomfortable expectations placed upon female actors within the South Indian film industries. In a recent interview, Pannu disclosed that directors in Tamil and Telugu cinema have, on occasion, requested actresses to wear padded bras. This demand, she elaborated, is problematic as it redirects audience focus towards particular physical attributes instead of the actors' performances.

Pannu also discussed the distinct visual framing prevalent in different film industries. She noted that while South Indian cinema frequently emphasizes the navel in song sequences, Hindi cinema typically directs attention towards cleavage. The actor described the awkwardness of such demands on set, especially given the limited number of women usually present, leading to an uncomfortable chain of communication through assistant directors and styling teams.

She further observed that directors often highlight certain physical features believing it enhances visual appeal and caters to audience fantasies. Pannu, who recently starred in Anubhav Sinha's crime-thriller Assi, has collaborated with the director on multiple occasions, including critically acclaimed films like Thappad and Mulk.