With no signs of the outrage dying down over her remarks about veteran Telugu filmmaker K Raghavendra Rao’s ‘obsession’ with heroines’ navels, actor Taapsee Pannu took to Facebook to clarify her stance.
In a video posted on her official social media account, Taapsee apologises to anyone that she may have hurt, and says that she was only taking a dig at herself.
"A couple of days ago, I was on this panel where I spoke about how this middle-class person has turned out to be a celebrity now, and how life has changed after that. I didn't intend to hurt anyone with that, but realise that it has happened, because of the kind of messages and tweets I have been reading," she says.
She adds, "It took me a while to realise what I said wrong, because throughout the event, all I made fun of, was myself -- how unfit I was for the industry, and how clueless I was with what was happening with me, in the industry."
She clarifies that all of her comments were intended to make fun of herself, and were not directed at anyone else. "A lot of people did get hurt. For me what really mattered was, how the person in question was feeling about it. So, I really want to apologise if I hurt anyone's sentiment. Trust me, I did not intend to. I just wanted to make fun of myself, and nothing else," she says.
Speaking about the filmmaker, Taapsee says, "I will not hurt anyone who has been such an important part of my journey. Raghavendra garu has been the reason why I'm here now, because that's where I started from, and I can never forget that."
Chatting with comedy collective East India Comedy, Tapsee had earlier spoken about her Tollywood stint with director K Raghavendra Rao, who launched her with the film Jhummandi Naadam in 2010.
"I saw Sridevi's and others' videos. Everyone had flowers and fruits thrown at them. My turn came and I don't know, maybe I was not prepared as I told you... they threw a coconut at me! I don't know what is so sensuous about a coconut hitting my midriff," she had said.
Her comments had triggered off a massive row, with several Tollywood personalities and fans fuming over it. However, she also received a lot of support for taking a stand on the matter.
In the latest video, Taapsee says, "It's just strange that everyone took it in a way that I've insulted him. I haven't. I will never. That's not what my intention was. If that has happened, I'm really sorry. It was not what I wanted to do."
Watch the video below.