“It’s Not a Catfight”: Swastika Mukherjee Weighs In on Long-Standing Feud Between Taapsee Pannu and Kangana Ranaut
As Taapsee Pannu gears up for the release of her upcoming action-thriller Gandhari, the promotional trail has been overshadowed by the resurgence of a familiar narrative: her high-profile, long-standing public feud with Kangana Ranaut. The rivalry, which has persisted for seven years, has once again dominated headlines, prompting co-stars to speak out against the toxic nature of these public exchanges.
A Cycle of Conflict
The latest round of hostilities began during recent press interactions for Gandhari. When asked about her relationship with the Bharat Bhhagya Viddhaata actress, Taapsee remarked that her perspectives are a reflection of her upbringing—a comment Kangana seemingly interpreted as a jab. Shortly after, the Queen star took to her Instagram stories to post a veiled dig, reviving the “B-grade actress” moniker originally coined by her sister, Rangoli Chandel, back in 2019.
Swastika Mukherjee Defends Taapsee
Amidst the media frenzy, Swastika Mukherjee, who stars alongside Taapsee in Gandhari, offered a candid perspective on the situation. Dismissing the media’s classification of the conflict as a “catfight,” she argued that such labels imply a mutual engagement that simply isn’t present here.
“I don’t think these are catfights, because I believe both people have to engage in it,” Mukherjee stated in an interview with NDTV. “Nowadays, you mostly see one person having an opinion, or as happens in our film industry too, you’ll find one or two such characters who bash everyone. They just don’t have anything good to say—whether seniors, colleagues, contemporaries, or juniors.”
Addressing the allegations of “impoliteness” often leveled against Taapsee by her detractors, Mukherjee offered a pragmatic defense of her co-star. “You can’t expect an actor to be sweet constantly on set. She might be focusing on her lines, she might be focusing on her role. That doesn’t make anyone rude. She’s just normal.”
Seven Years of Friction
The roots of this animosity trace back to 2019, when a difference of opinion regarding creative criticism sparked a series of online barbs. The tension escalated significantly in 2020 during the volatile discourse surrounding nepotism and the industry’s response to the death of Sushant Singh Rajput. During this period, Kangana’s branding of several industry peers, including Taapsee and Swara Bhaskar, as “B-grade” and “needy outsiders” solidified the divide.
Observers have noted that the friction often flares up specifically during Taapsee’s promotional windows, a pattern not lost on those in the industry. As the cycle repeats, the discourse remains divided between those caught in the crossfire and those, like Mukherjee, who advocate for a more professional environment.
What’s Next
While the social media sparring continues to grab attention, Taapsee remains focused on the launch of Gandhari. The action-packed feature, directed by Devashish Makhija and produced by Kanika Dhillon, is scheduled to premiere on Netflix on September 3. As for the ongoing feud, it remains a recurring, if increasingly weary, fixture of the Bollywood landscape.
