The problem starts at home: Taapsee Pannu on India’s rape crisis
Actress Taapsee Pannu has called for deep reflection on the rising rape cases in India, saying the problem “starts at home”. Here’s what he said and how it connects to his upcoming film Assi.
Actress Taapsee Pannu, literature till date Highlighting the alarming rise in rape cases in India, she categorically said that “the problem starts at home”. Referring to a recent case involving a six-year-old girl allegedly being attacked by a 10-year-old boy, the actor questioned how such young children are aware of such acts.
He pointed out that in many cases, the accused are between 10 and 13 years old – a reality that, according to him, takes the conversation beyond courts and legal reform. “We may have missed something in our upbringing,” he said, suggesting that early exposure and environment may play an important role.
What did Taapsee say after all?
The actor stressed that the issue cannot be limited to punishment alone. Underscoring parental responsibility and the importance of early education, she commented, “How does a 10-year-old know what rape is? He might have seen something at home.”
For Taapsee, the debate must include uncomfortable introspection about what children face both online and offline.
Is this a gender debate?
Not at all, he clarified. Taapsee was adamant that sexual violence is not “just a woman’s issue”. He called on men to actively participate in conversations around consent, respect and awareness. According to her, real change requires collective accountability rather than presenting it as a battle of genders.
about eighty
Directed by Anubhav Sinha, Asi is a hard-hitting investigative courtroom thriller scheduled for theatrical release on February 20, 2026. The film’s title, which translates to “80”, refers to the disturbing statistics of sexual assault cases occurring daily in India. The film traces the journey through the harrowing journey of a school teacher named Parima (Kani Kusruti) who survives a brutal gang attack. Taapsee Pannu plays Raavi, a tireless defense lawyer battling institutional bias, bureaucratic indifference and a “rotten system” to ensure justice for survivors. Marking the third collaboration between Sinha and Pannu after Mulk and Thappad, the film features a powerhouse cast including Naseeruddin Shah, Revathi, Manoj Pahwa and Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub.
Whether on or off screen, Taapsee is determined to keep tough conversations alive – even when they make people uncomfortable.