Actor Regina Cassandra has set off one of the week’s most talked-about debates in Indian cinema. Reacting to recent remarks by Janhvi Kapoor and Radhika Apte about their experiences in Telugu films, she said such comments create a North-South divide, and she also took a swipe at Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions over how she was treated during Kesari Chapter 2 promotions.
Here’s what Regina said, what she was responding to, and why it has struck a nerve.
What Started the Debate
In recent weeks, two Hindi film actresses spoke publicly about working in Telugu cinema. Janhvi Kapoor made comments linked to her Telugu film Peddi, and Radhika Apte spoke about patriarchy and the portrayal of women in Telugu films. Both sets of remarks went viral and drew sharp reactions from South Indian film fans.
What Regina Cassandra Said
Speaking to India Today, Regina made three main points:
- Walk out if you’re uncomfortable. She said that if an actor feels uncomfortable with a film, they should leave it, and that neither Janhvi nor Radhika was in a position where they couldn’t.
- It divides the industry. She said she has “a big issue” with North Indian actors describing South Indian cinema this way, because it creates a North-South split without them realising it.
- Colourism in casting. She argued that many North Indian actresses were historically cast in the South because they were fair-skinned, which she called appalling.
She added that the issue isn’t about gender, though she would always side with a woman, and that raising complaints only after a film is finished doesn’t help.
Regina’s Dig at Dharma Productions
Regina also turned the lens on Bollywood. She said that during promotions of Kesari Chapter 2, the Akshay Kumar film produced by Dharma Productions, the team shared a song featuring her without even tagging her. She asked whether that was because she is a South Indian actress, suggesting the bias runs both ways.
Why Regina’s Voice Matters Here
Regina is one of the few actors who works comfortably across all three industries: Tamil, Telugu and Hindi. That gives her a view from both sides. Her comments flip the usual conversation, suggesting South Indian actresses also face unfair treatment in Bollywood.
The timing is notable too. Regina is part of Nayanthara’s Mookuthi Amman 2, which released in theatres today, so expect the comments to follow her through the film’s promotions. Read how it’s faring against Ramayana in our Tamil Nadu Diwali box office report.
How People Are Reacting
Reactions are split. Many South Indian film fans have welcomed her for defending their industry and calling out colourism in casting. Others feel she was dismissive of real concerns about how women are written and shot in some commercial films, and that “just walk out” isn’t a realistic option for most actors. Neither Janhvi Kapoor nor Radhika Apte has responded publicly so far.
