Kangana Ranaut vs Taapsee Pannu: The 7-year 'sasti copy' saga that still won't end

Actors Kangana Ranaut and Taapsee Pannu may have never met, but they have somehow managed to sustain one of Bollywood's longest-running feuds – entirely from opposite corners of the ring. And now, the 'sasti copy' saga is back.

The latest chapter unfolded at the India Today Women Summit 2026, where Taapsee opened up about their differences. She said she has never met Kangana and suggested that their opposing views stem from their very different upbringings and ways of looking at the world. Kangana, predictably, had a response - another 'sasti copy' jibe. Taapsee then had the last word, posting a cryptic "Hence proved."

And just like that, a feud between two actors who have never actually met got another episode. But how did we get here?

Their war of words dates back to 2019, when Kangana first took aim at Taapsee, and what could have been a passing Bollywood spat slowly turned into a seven-year showdown complete with jibes, counter-jibes and the occasional social media grenade.

How did the Kangana-Taapsee feud begin?

Interestingly, it was not even Kangana who began it, but her sister Rangoli Chandel. It all started after Taapsee praised the trailer of Kangana's film Judgementall Hai Kya. Taapsee called the trailer “cool” and said it looked worth the wait, but did not mention Kangana by name.

That prompted Kangana's sister Rangoli Chandel, who was then also her manager, to accuse Taapsee of copying Kangana and not giving her credit. Rangoli called her a “sasti copy” of Kangana. The phrase would go on to become the most recognisable jibe in their public exchanges.

Taapsee initially chose not to engage with the remark. However, reacting to an AajTak X post, she later responded to comparisons with Kangana, joking that she should not be called the “Queen” because she would then be called a copy again.

See the post here:

What happened in 2020?

Following actor Sushant Singh Rajput's death during COVID-19, the disagreement grew with a wider debate around nepotism and the treatment of outsiders in Bollywood. Kangana, who had been vocal about the industry's perceived favouritism towards star kids, criticised Taapsee and other actors, including Swara Bhasker in an interview in July 2020, referring to them as “B-grade actresses” and “needy outsiders”.

Meanwhile, in an interview with India Today, Taapsee maintained that she had not personally attacked Kangana. She questioned why outsiders should fight among themselves when they had faced similar struggles in the industry.

"I have been doing at least four films per year in the last 3 years now and have five films announced right now. So, who says I don’t get enough work! I decided to keep my career graph slow and steady, and that’s exactly how it’s been going," she said.

Swara Bhasker, too, reacted strongly. In an X post she wrote, "Okay so while on topic...full disclosure & confession. I am needy. I need respectful public interaction. I need rationality and logic in debate. I need sane, civil and decent public discourse. I need rule of law and I need FACTS ! What do you need (sic)?"

Here's the post for you:

The exchanges did not end there. In 2021, Kangana again used the “sasti” label while responding to Taapsee's comments on Income Tax raids involving several members of the film industry.

What happened in 2026?

The old dispute resurfaced after Taapsee spoke about Kangana at the India Today Women Summit 2026 on August 22. When asked whether she had mended ways with the BJP MP, Taapsee said she had never met Kangana, either before or after their differences became public.

She said their opinions of each other reflected their respective upbringings, ways of speaking and ways of looking at the world. “My opinion on her is reflective of my upbringing and my way of talking, my way of perceiving things and hers... she stands by hers. So, I think that's enough for everybody to look and decide who comes from where,” Pannu said.

Kangana interpreted the remarks as a comment on her upbringing and parents. In an Instagram Story shared over the weekend, she again called Taapsee a “sasti copy” and criticised her upcoming film, Gandhari, referring to it as a “B-grade film”. Kangana also questioned Taapsee's comments about her upbringing and brought their families into the exchange.

Here's the Story:

On Sunday, Taapsee responded without naming Kangana directly. She simply posted: “Hence proved.”

Here's the Story:

So, what is the feud really about?

There was no friendship that broke down between Kangana and Taapsee. Instead, it began with a disagreement over recognition and comparisons, developed through public comments and social media exchanges, and became intertwined with larger debates around Bollywood, nepotism and outsiders.

The latest exchange has brought the old dispute back into the spotlight. For now, the Kangana-Taapsee equation remains what it has been for years: a public war of words between two actors who have never actually met.

Meanwhile, work-wise, Taapsee is gearing up for her next release, Gandhari. It is a revenge drama set to premiere on Netflix on September 3. Directed by Devashish Makhija, the film also stars Ishwak Singh.

Kangana, on the other hand, will reunite with Thalaivii (2021) director AL Vijay for an upcoming pan-India psychological thriller, also starring R Madhavan.