Feud Reignites Over Comments on Upbringing
The long-running public feud between actresses Kangana Ranaut and Taapsee Pannu has resurfaced after Pannu spoke about their differences in a recent interview. Speaking to India Today, Pannu said she has never met Ranaut, either before their disagreements began or since. She added, "My opinion on her is reflective of my upbringing and my way of talking, my way of perceiving things and hers... she stands by hers. So, I think that's enough for everybody to look and decide who comes from where."
Ranaut, an actor and BJP MP, took exception to the comments, which she interpreted as an attack on her parents and upbringing. In an Instagram Story posted on Saturday, she wrote, "One Sasti copy is out and about with her upcoming B grade film but as usual only headline point with the media is Kangana Ranaut, but today she crossed all limits shamelessly ridiculing my upbringing / parents, I think all parents do their best and I never bring any parents in to any argument, but today I also want to ask her parents why they couldn't birth someone original like my parents did? Why a cheap Sasti copy? Feel sorry for your efforts."
Cryptic Response and Deleted Posts
On Sunday, August 23, Pannu shared a short Instagram Story that read "Hence, proved" without naming anyone. The timing led many to interpret it as a response to Ranaut's remarks, as reported by multiple outlets.
Ranaut later deleted the Instagram Stories containing her remarks, though the reason remains unclear. Before deletion, she had also posted a second story defending her own background, writing, "This is so unfortunate and so wrong, but she is not the only one; many people who grew up in shady, cramped-up outskirts of cities in dingy rented apartments with questionable backgrounds and incomes often question my upbringing and malign my parents and background who hail from a renowned Rajput zamindar family and were raised by educated, distinguished parents." She added, "It was a personal choice for me to start from scratch; why attack my parents for that?"
In one of her stories, Ranaut also shared a screenshot of a news story highlighting the word 'upbringing', calling the situation "unfortunate and wrong"—a detail reported by a single outlet.
A Seven-Year-Old Dispute
The phrase "sasti copy" has been central to the conflict between the two actors since 2019. The dispute began when Ranaut's sister, Rangoli Chandel, accused Pannu of copying Kangana after Pannu praised the trailer of the film "Judgementall Hai Kya" without mentioning her by name.
Tensions escalated further in 2020 during the Bollywood nepotism debate, when Ranaut referred to Pannu and Swara Bhasker as "B-grade" actors and "needy outsiders." Pannu has previously said she has no intention of engaging in a mudslinging match and has expressed openness to being friends with Ranaut.
What's Next for Both Actors
Pannu's upcoming film "Gandhari" is scheduled to premiere on Netflix on September 3. The film is directed by Devashish Makhija and also stars Ishwak Singh.
Ranaut, meanwhile, is set to reunite with director AL Vijay for an upcoming pan-India psychological thriller. She also has projects including "Queen 2" and "Tanu Weds Manu 3" in the pipeline, as mentioned in some reports.
As the exchange plays out on social media, neither actress has indicated any intention of meeting or directly resolving their differences, and the feud appears set to continue as it has for nearly seven years.