Regina Cassandra on early Bollywood experiences: ‘Anyone would be able to tell I was being put down’ : Bollywood News

Actor Regina Cassandra has said that her relatively limited work in Hindi cinema is linked partly to how she felt she was perceived as a South Indian performer. In a recent interview with Hindustan Times, she spoke about encountering behaviour that made her feel discouraged during her early interactions in the industry.

Regina Cassandra on early Bollywood experiences: ‘Anyone would be able to tell I was being put down’

Regina Cassandra on early Bollywood experiences: ‘Anyone would be able to tell I was being put down’Cassandra, who has worked extensively in Tamil and Telugu films and is now associated with projects such as Jaat and Kesari Chapter 2, said that her experiences in the Hindi film space were not always comfortable. She explained that the issue was not confined to verbal remarks alone.

“A lot of people treated me in a derogatory manner, not just with words, but with actions. It’s sort of a derogatory outlook towards me. And, I mean, anyone would be able to tell that I was being put down in a certain way. I did feel it. So I did have some inhibitions in the North. But, having said that, it’s not always the case, right?” she said.

While the actor did not refer to specific incidents or individuals, she suggested that such experiences contributed to her hesitation about pursuing more opportunities in Hindi cinema at the time. She also noted that perceptions tied to regional identity and gender can influence how actors are cast and treated, making it important for performers to consciously avoid being confined to stereotypes.

Cassandra’s remarks add to wider conversations about representation, linguistic bias, and workplace culture across India’s film industries. As more actors move between regional cinemas and Hindi productions, discussions around inclusion and professional parity have become more visible.

Also Read: Regina Cassandra marks 20 years in cinema: A career defined by range and reinvention