Bollywood actor Annu Kapoor, who faced backlash last year over his comments about Tamannaah Bhatia’s appearance, has now clarified his statement and explained the context.
Annu Kapoor’s remark on Tamannaah Bhatia that sparked backlash
The row began during a previous interaction with Shubhankar Mishra, when Annu spoke about Tamannaah’s performance in Aaj Ki Raat and said, “Mashallah kya dudhiya badan hai (Oh my god, what milky body she has),” a comment that soon went viral and drew mixed reactions online.
Annu Kapoor explains the context behind his comment
In a conversation with Siddharth Kannan, the actor elaborated on the circumstances that led to his remark. He said, “Last year I had shows in America. I told our creative team that the contestants are good, so suggest a googly-type song. Then they played this song ‘Aaj Ki Raat’. I said the composition is very good. They said the song is very popular but contestants won’t be able to score in it, so it can be a googly song because the ‘mukhda’ doesn’t fully land. I asked them to show me the video. I watched it and said she is dancing very well. That’s all that happened.”
Annu Kapoor reacts to backlash and language debate
Responding to the strong criticism that followed, Annu maintained that the controversy was amplified because of the language used. He said, “Some people abused me over it, and some said that in English ‘milky body’ is also used. If you say it in English, it’s fine, but in Hindi it becomes a problem. Abuse in our own language hits harder, but if you say the same thing in English, no one has an issue. If I had said ‘milky body’, there would have been no problem. What age would she be—28, 30? My children are that age. Just because I said ‘dudhiya badan’, people started calling me an old man and trolling me.”
Annu Kapoor draws line between appreciation and intent
He went on to emphasise the difference between appreciation and intent, noting that complimenting someone’s appearance should not be mistaken for desire or inappropriate motives. He shared, “Even if I have noticed someone’s body, I appreciate the physique, but I do not desire her. I do not have lust for that person. These are different things. I can appreciate your Rolls Royce, but it’s not necessary that I desire it or feel greedy for it.”
Annu Kapoor says he is open to apologising
Annu added that he is willing to stand by his words and apologise if necessary. “If she asks me whether I said it, I will say yes, I did. If you felt bad, I will touch your feet. If a 71-year-old man touches her feet, what will she say? Nothing, because I am not doing it with any wrong intention.”
Annu Kapoor’s podcast remarks extend the discussion
In a conversation on Shubhankar Mishra’s podcast, soon after Annu Kapoor’s “dudhiya badan” comment on Tamannaah Bhatia, the host mentioned Tamannaah’s remark about children falling asleep to her song ‘Aaj Ki Raat’, which further steered the discussion. Reacting to it, Annu said, “Kids of which age sleep? A 70-year-old can also be a kid. I would have asked this question to her.” He continued along the same lines, adding, “Our sister is making kids sleep with her song, with her milky face and body, if she is making our children sleep sweetly, it’s very good, man… It will be a great blessing for this country that our children get a good and healthy night’s sleep. If she has any other wishes, may God give her the capability to fulfil her wishes. That’s my blessing for her.”
‘Aaj Ki Raat’ song from ‘Stree 2’
The track ‘Aaj Ki Raat’ appears in ‘Stree 2’, starring Tamannaah Bhatia alongside Pankaj Tripathi and Rajkummar Rao.
