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Veteran actor Annu Kapoor, who came under fire last year for his comment on Tamannaah Bhatia, has now spoken up to clarify what he meant and address the backlash surrounding the remark.

The controversy traces back to an earlier conversation with Shubhankar Mishra, where Annu Kapoor commented on Tamannaah Bhatia’s performance in “Aaj Ki Raat.” During the interaction, he remarked, “Mashallah kya dudhiya badan hai (Oh my god, what milky body she has),” a statement that quickly went viral online and drew a mix of reactions, with some praising his candour while others criticised the remark as inappropriate.

Annu Kapoor Clarifies his Statement on Tamannaah Bhatia

He recalled that during a show in the US, he and his team were discussing song options for contestants and wanted something slightly complex. When “Aaj Ki Raat” came up, he appreciated its composition and, after watching the video, praised Tamannaah’s performance, clarifying that his reaction was limited to acknowledging her dance and screen presence.

Addressing the backlash, Annu suggested that the outrage stemmed largely from the choice of language rather than intent. He said, “Some people abused me over it, and some said that in English ‘milky body’ is also used. If you say it in English, it’s fine, but in Hindi it becomes a problem. Abuse in our own language hits harder, but if you say the same thing in English, no one has an issue. If I had said ‘milky body’, there would have been no problem. What age would she be—28, 30? My children are that age. Just because I said ‘dudhiya badan’, people started calling me an old man and trolling me.”

© Maddock Films

He went on to draw a clear line between appreciation and intent, adding, “Even if I have noticed someone’s body, I appreciate the physique, but I do not desire her. I do not have lust for that person. These are different things. I can appreciate your Rolls Royce, but it’s not necessary that I desire it or feel greedy for it.”

Annu further maintained that he stands by his words but is willing to apologise if his comment caused hurt. He stated that he would openly acknowledge what he said and, if Tamannaah felt offended, he would apologise respectfully, even touching her feet, emphasising that there was no ill intent behind the remark.

© Instagram/Annu Kapoor

Interestingly, during the same podcast with Shubhankar Mishra, the discussion also touched upon Tamannaah’s observation about children enjoying the song. Annu responded by questioning what qualifies as ‘children,’ suggesting that people of all ages could connect with it. He ultimately described her performance as soothing and uplifting, adding that if it brings comfort to viewers, it deserves appreciation.