Actor Annu Kapoor has once again defended the controversial remarks he made about actor Tamannaah Bhatia, arguing that the backlash stems from what he described as a colonial mindset. Responding to criticism over his “dudhiya badan” (milky body) comment, Kapoor claimed that Indians continue to judge Hindi expressions differently from their English equivalents because they remain “mentally British slaves.”
The controversy dates back to an interview last year, in which Kapoor was asked about Tamannaah’s chartbuster song Aaj Ki Raat. While praising the actor, he remarked, “Mashallah kya dudhiya badan hai,” before going on to compliment her appearance and performance. The comment quickly went viral, with many social media users accusing him of objectifying Tamannaah and using inappropriate language while speaking about a female colleague.
Speaking to Zoom in a recent interview, Kapoor stood by his remarks and insisted there was nothing offensive about the phrase. He argued that similar descriptions in English are rarely criticised, whereas Hindi expressions often invite outrage. According to the veteran actor, people would not object if someone used the phrase “milky body,” but react strongly when the same sentiment is conveyed in Hindi as “dudhiya badan.” He said the differing reactions reflected a lingering colonial mentality rather than any problem with the words themselves.
“We got political freedom on August 15, 1947, but mentally we are still British slaves,” Kapoor said while explaining his position. He maintained that language should not be judged differently simply because it is expressed in Hindi instead of English.
When questioned about whether his comments disrespected women, Kapoor rejected the suggestion outright. He said he would be “the last person” to insult either a man or a woman and maintained that disrespect had never been his intention. At the same time, he added that if Tamannaah personally felt hurt by his words, he would have no hesitation in apologising to her.
The renewed controversy has also brought attention to Tamannaah’s own remarks on being labelled a “milky beauty.” During promotions for Odela 2 last year, the actor addressed the tag, saying she did not view glamour as something to be ashamed of. Tamannaah argued that women should celebrate their own glamour rather than feel embarrassed by it, adding that self-confidence plays an important role in how society perceives women.
Her comments were interpreted by many as an attempt to reclaim labels often associated with female actors without allowing them to define or diminish their abilities. Tamannaah also questioned why someone considered glamorous could not portray spiritually powerful characters, suggesting that appearance and talent should not be viewed as mutually exclusive.
Kapoor’s latest defence has reignited debate on social media, with users sharply divided over his explanation. Some supported his argument that language should not be judged by different standards depending on whether it is spoken in Hindi or English. Others maintained that the criticism was directed not at the language itself, but at comments that focus on a woman’s physical appearance in a professional context.
Despite the backlash, Kapoor has made it clear that he does not believe his original remark was intended to demean Tamannaah. While reiterating that he meant no disrespect, he has also left the door open for an apology if the actor herself felt offended. The episode has once again sparked a wider conversation about celebrity comments, the objectification of women, and the evolving standards of public discourse in the entertainment industry.