Taapsee Pannu REACTS to Kirti Kulhari’s “sidelined” claim during Pink promotions: “I can’t discard her feelings”

March 19, 2025 - 3:02 PM IST

Bollywood actress Taapsee Pannu has addressed recent comments made by her Pink co-star Kirti Kulhari, who claimed she felt "sidelined" during the film’s promotional campaign. In a candid interview with ETimes, Taapsee expressed surprise at Kirti’s feelings, stating that she was unaware of any discontent at the time and respects Kirti’s perspective.

Taapsee Pannu REACTS to Kirti Kulhari’s “sidelined” claim during Pink promotions: “I can’t discard her feelings”

Directed by Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury and produced by Shoojit Sircar, Pink (2016) is a gripping courtroom drama that follows three women—played by Taapsee Pannu, Kirti Kulhari, and Andrea Tariang—whose lives unravel after a harrowing incident, with Amitabh Bachchan portraying their resolute lawyer. The film earned widespread critical acclaim and performed strongly at the box office, cementing its status as a landmark feminist narrative in Indian cinema.

Taapsee’s Reaction: Empathy Meets Unawareness

Reacting to Kirti’s remarks, Taapsee told ETimes, “How would I know? She has the full right to feel the way she does. I would be the last person to tell someone what you are feeling is wrong. If someone has felt a certain way, I’m sure there’s a reason.” She admitted that she had no knowledge of Kirti feeling sidelined during the promotions of Pink. “Had I known that she felt sidelined in any way, I would have liked to speak to her at that point and ask if there was something I could do to make it better. Unfortunately, I did not know there was an issue at that point. So, I don’t know what to do with it. I can’t discard her feelings,” Taapsee added.

The Thappad actress also shed light on her relationship with Kirti, clarifying that while they aren’t close friends, their professional rapport has remained intact. “Since she saw our relationship or situation in a certain way, maybe she felt the distance from me. I always kept it professional with her, and I still do. I worked with her in Mission Mangal as well, and I don’t think professionally anything changed for me, because from where I saw it, I did not see any disparity,” Taapsee explained.

Kirti Kulhari’s Perspective: The PR Disparity

Kirti Kulhari’s comments came during a recent reflection on her experience with Pink’s promotional efforts. She pointed out how the film’s trailer predominantly featured Taapsee Pannu and Amitabh Bachchan, leaving her feeling overlooked despite her significant contribution to the movie. “I saw the trailer was mainly filled with Taapsee and Mr. Bachchan. That was the first jhatka for me because I know what I have done in the film,” Kirti recalled. She sought reassurance from producer Shoojit Sircar, who advised her, “Don’t worry about it, let the film come out.” Kirti, who has often distanced herself from aggressive PR tactics, added, “I never do PR. I believe my work will eventually be seen.”

Also Read: Kirti Kulhari reveals she broke down during Pink promotions after Taapsee Pannu was promoted as the face of the film; says, “It shook me”