3 min readKolkataFeb 20, 2026 05:44 PM IST
First published on: Feb 18, 2026 at 02:20 PM IST
Bollywood actor Taapsee Pannu has addressed the rape and murder of a doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College, capturing the collective grief and outrage felt across the nation. As the incident continues to spark protests and demands for systemic reform, Pannu said the fight for safety and justice is not a local issue—it’s a recurring narrative that every city, and every citizen, is forced to reckon with.
The premiere of her upcoming movie Assi (which takes its name from the statistic that 80 rapes take place in India every day) in Kolkata took an emotional turn on Tuesday evening, when Taapsee Pannu made a surprise appearance. As the credits rolled, the lead actor walked into the theatre to engage with the audience, sparking a raw conversation about justice in India.
The atmosphere grew tense when Pannu was asked to comment on the high-profile RG Kar Medical College incident. Known for her candidness, the actor chose to address the broader epidemic of violence.
Pannu spoke about the staggering frequency of sexual violence, questioning why public outcry is often limited to cases that gain momentum.
“Whichever city we are going in, they are quoting an example of a rape and asking me to react on it,” Pannu told The Indian Express. “In Patna, they spoke of the NEET student. This morning, I read about a one-and-a-half-year-old girl raped by her father’s friend. So, which one am I supposed to comment on? Shall we talk about one case or the 79 others that happened the same day?”
The actor also said “true justice” remains elusive, asking if a single judgment could ever truly end the cycle of violence. “For me, each of these cases is equally disturbing,” she added, expressing her hope that every grieving family finds closure.
The discussion also pivoted to the current landscape of Indian cinema, where films are frequently labelled as “propaganda”. Asked whether Assi falls under this category, its director, Anubhav Sinha, offered a provocative defence of the term.
Sinha argued that “propagating an idea” is the literal meaning of the word and that it is not inherently negative. “Every filmmaker has the right to propagate an opinion through their art. The problem only arises when a film is used to propagate lies rather than personal or social truths,” he said.
Actor Taapsee Pannu at a hotel in Kolkata ahead of the premiere of 'Assi' on Tuesday. (Express photo by Partha Paul) 
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