IMPORTANTCinema

Swastika Mukherjee defends Taapsee Pannu, rejecting 'catfight' label in Kangana Ranaut feud

27 Aug 2026Updated 19 days ago1 source

During promotions for the upcoming movie 'Gandhari', actor Swastika Mukherjee defended her co-star Taapsee Pannu, dismissing the 'catfight' label often used to describe Pannu's rivalry with Kangana Ranaut. Mukherjee characterized Pannu as a grounded and normal person. The public disagreement between the two actors dates back to 2019 and intensified during the nepotism debates of 2020. 'Gandhari' is scheduled for release on Netflix on September 3.

NIKAN Intelligence

What happened

Actor Swastika Mukherjee defended her 'Gandhari' co-star Taapsee Pannu, stating that Pannu's long-standing professional dispute with Kangana Ranaut should not be trivialized as a 'catfight'. Mukherjee described Pannu as a normal and grounded individual.

Why it matters

The statement revives public attention around the high-profile professional rift between Taapsee Pannu and Kangana Ranaut, which became a focal point during national debates on nepotism in Bollywood in 2020.

What we know

  • Swastika Mukherjee and Taapsee Pannu star in the upcoming film 'Gandhari'.
  • The film is directed by Devashish Makhija.
  • The movie is scheduled to premiere on Netflix on September 3.
  • The rivalry between Pannu and Ranaut began in 2019 and escalated during the 2020 nepotism debate.

What we don't know

  • Kangana Ranaut's response to Swastika Mukherjee's comments.
  • The specific promotion-related questions that prompted Mukherjee's defence of Pannu.

What's next

The release of the film 'Gandhari' on Netflix on September 3.

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