Kangana Ranaut vs Taapsee Pannu: How the ‘Sasti Copy’ Feud Resurfaced After 7 Years

The long-running feud between Kangana Ranaut and Taapsee Pannu has once again grabbed attention. The latest exchange began after Taapsee spoke about her differences with Kangana, following which Kangana revived the familiar “sasti copy” jibe. Taapsee later responded with a cryptic post saying, “Hence proved.”

Interestingly, the two actors have publicly exchanged remarks for years but have reportedly never met in person.

How Did the Kangana Ranaut-Taapsee Pannu Feud Begin?

The controversy dates back to July 2019, when Taapsee praised the trailer of Kangana’s film Judgementall Hai Kya. While appreciating the trailer, Taapsee did not specifically mention Kangana.

The situation escalated after Kangana’s sister, Rangoli Chandel, accused Taapsee of copying Kangana and not giving her adequate credit. The phrase “sasti copy” soon became one of the most recognisable references associated with their public exchanges.

Taapsee later responded humorously to comparisons with Kangana, suggesting that she preferred Kangana to remain the “Queen” so that she would not be labelled a copy again.

The Feud Intensified During the 2020 Bollywood Debate

The disagreement resurfaced in 2020 during the wider debate around nepotism and the treatment of outsiders in Bollywood following Sushant Singh Rajput’s death.

Kangana criticised several actors, including Taapsee and Swara Bhasker. Taapsee responded by questioning why actors who had themselves entered the industry as outsiders should engage in conflicts with one another.

The public exchange continued into 2021, when Kangana once again used the “sasti” label while reacting to Taapsee’s comments related to Income Tax raids involving members of the film industry.

What Happened Between Kangana and Taapsee in 2026?

The seven-year-old dispute resurfaced after Taapsee discussed Kangana at the India Today Woman Summit 2026 on August 22.

When asked about whether their relationship had improved, Taapsee said that she had never met Kangana. She suggested that their differing opinions reflected their individual upbringings, personalities and ways of viewing the world.

Kangana later interpreted the remarks as a comment on her upbringing and family. In a subsequent social media post, she once again referred to Taapsee as a “sasti copy” and also criticised her upcoming film Gandhari.

Taapsee responded without directly naming Kangana, posting only: “Hence proved.”

Why Are Kangana Ranaut and Taapsee Pannu Feuding?

Unlike many Bollywood rivalries, this was not a friendship that ended badly. Their dispute developed through public statements, social media exchanges and disagreements over comparisons, recognition and larger debates surrounding Bollywood, nepotism and outsiders.

Over the years, the conflict has repeatedly returned to the public spotlight whenever either actor has commented on the other.

The latest exchange has once again revived the debate, showing that the Kangana Ranaut-Taapsee Pannu feud remains one of Bollywood’s longest-running public war of words.

What Are Kangana Ranaut and Taapsee Pannu Working On?

Taapsee Pannu is preparing for the release of Gandhari, a revenge drama scheduled to premiere on Netflix on September 3. The film is directed by Devashish Makhija and also features Ishwak Singh.

Meanwhile, Kangana Ranaut is set to reunite with Thalaivii director AL Vijay for an upcoming pan-India psychological thriller, which will also feature R Madhavan.