How does Tamannaah Bhatia tackle Sexism in Cinema?

Tamannaah Bhatia has revealed an unusual yet powerful way she dealt with male dominance while rising through South Indian and Bollywood cinema.

The actor shared her candid approach in a recent interview.

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter India, Bhatia admitted she often faced situations where men attempted to undermine her contributions on set.

Instead of backing down, she turned to a quirky mental strategy.

“Whenever a man tried to make me feel like he had the final say, I’d imagine him in a saree or glamorous outfit,” she explained.

Bhatia added: “Then I’d think he’d look really bad in it. That’s when I realised what I can do, he can’t. So, they’ll need me.”

This trick, according to Bhatia, gave her the confidence to stay assertive and make bold choices.

She credits this mindset with sustaining her across 85 films.

Bhatia’s career shifted dramatically after the success of Baahubali in 2015, which offered her visibility rarely afforded to female actors in South Indian cinema.

The film marked a turning point.

“Work doesn’t come because you’re a nice person,” she stated, highlighting that concrete ideas and creative input are what keep actors relevant and respected long-term.

The actor stressed that performers who speak up on scripts or scenes are remembered more than those who remain silent.

For her, assertiveness became key to survival.

Her latest project reflects that same theme.

Bhatia fronts Amazon Prime Video’s Do You Wanna Partner, co-starring Diana Penty, where she plays Shikha Roy Chowdhury, a marketing professional who loses her job.

Shikha joins forces with her best friend, played by Penty, to enter the male-dominated alcohol-beverage industry.

Together, they fight stereotypes through resilience, creativity and humour.

The show mirrors Tamannaah Bhatia’s real-life journey of breaking barriers, proving that women can thrive in industries dominated by men.

It also highlights friendship and female entrepreneurship.

Her openness about navigating sexism is sparking conversations about how female actors build strength in a system where women are often marginalised.

Fans praised her honesty online.

As one of Indian cinema’s highest-paid stars, Tamannaah Bhatia continues balancing South Indian, Bollywood and now digital projects.

Her journey reflects reinvention and resilience at a crucial time for representation.

With gender equality and storytelling under the spotlight, Bhatia’s voice underscores the importance of female actors speaking openly about their struggles while building careers that challenge the industry’s traditional power dynamics.