‘I was not at all comfortable and said no; the top South actor asked to change the heroine’: Tamannaah Bhatia
Tamannaah Bhatia is now a name to reckon with across the Indian film industry. Whether for her foot-tapping performance in “Aaj Ki Raat” from Stree 2, or for her portrayal of Avantika in the iconic Baahubali films, the actor has gone from being an outsider in the highly competitive film industry to a household name. Tamannaah has worked her way up with earnest performances and hard work.
However, what has caught the attention of netizens is her candid revelation in a conversation with The Lallantop (Guests in The Newsroom) earlier this year.
Recalling her experience working with a big South Indian star, she said, “While filming with the actor, I was not comfortable with certain scenes and I had to say outright that I could not do them. There were things I was not at all comfortable doing. The moment I expressed my disapproval, the star said, ‘Change the heroine.’”
But Tamannaah is not someone to back down. Speaking further in the interview, she said, “People often try to shake your confidence, especially when you are young and vulnerable. That has happened to me many times. They end up humiliating us,” the actor revealed, recounting her past struggles.
Referring again to the incident involving the top South Indian actor, she said she stood her ground — unapologetic and undeterred despite the hostile behaviour at the time.
Explaining further, Tamannaah said, “If someone tries to humiliate you, you need not overreact. Whatever he felt, he may have said it out loud — that was his way of treating his co-star.”
She added that the actor walked up to her the next day and apologised, saying, “Sorry, I was very upset. I was angry. I should not have behaved like that.”
Tamannaah Bhatia’s candid revelation has since prompted fans to reflect on the challenges faced by female stars in the industry and on the broader nuances of succeeding and surviving in the entertainment industry. (With inputs from Agencies)