Regena Cassandrra recalls derogatory treatment in Bollywood industry interview
In Hindustan Times interview, Regena Cassandrra discusses balancing South and Hindi films, stereotypes, and career challenges
Chennai girl Regena Cassandra’s got stories that could fill a blockbuster script. Over a decade grinding in Tamil and Telugu hits, films were just fun side gigs for this firecracker. Then Bollywood called with 2019’s Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga, flipping her world. “Sets feel like home now,” she shares with Hindustan Times, eyes sparkling. But cracking Hindi heartland? Took grit, tears, and shaking off ugly stereotypes. Her candor hits like a warm hug—proof South stars are rewriting the game.
Regena spills: Bollywood welcomed her with open arms… and side-eyes. “South Indian actress,” they’d sneer, ignoring her flawless Hindi—reading, writing, dubbing her own lines. “My Hindi’s solid, all me—no fakes!” she laughs, but pain lingers. Derogatory vibes weren’t just whispers; actions stung. “Treated like an outsider, put down subtly. I felt it deep— inhibitions crept in up North.” Oof, relatable? Like walking into a party where folks size you up by accent alone. Not always, she clarifies—good eggs too—but the jabs? They smarted.
Flashback: Young Regena, extracurricular actor, lands Telugu gems like Evaru, Tamil thrillers. Bollywood breakthrough felt dreamy, but reality bit. Stereotypes? “Darker skin? Madrasi?” We’d all cringe. Yet, she flipped it. Roles in Kesari Chapter 2 (Jaat beats box office!), Rocket Boys, Farzi, Jaat—dubbing herself, owning every scene. How? “I’m nurturing,” she beams. “Warm vibes make any set family. Share idlis, crack jokes—home anywhere.”
Her journey mirrors pan-India shifts. Post-RRR, Pushpa, South talent floods North—Nayanthara, Rashmika shining. Regena’s proud: “We bring fire, authenticity.” Hurdles? Language myths busted; her Hindi rivals Mumbaikars. Personal toll? “Felt foreign sometimes, like proving worth twice.” But growth: Directors now seek her edge. Off-screen, yoga, dogs, travel recharge her.
Human side tugs heartstrings. “Took time, but I bloomed,” she reflects. Fans adore her candor—insta lives, unfiltered reels. Chennai roots ground her: Beach runs, family feasts. Bollywood’s evolving—Laapataa Ladies, OTT booms level fields. Regena’s mantra? Kindness conquers. “Nurture bonds, set feels home.”
Looking ahead: Exciting shelves, collabs teasing. Advice to dreamers? “Own your voice—South, North, doesn’t matter.” Her story? Inspiration fuel. From “extracurricular” to star, Regena proves warmth trumps bias. Bollywood, take notes—this Chennai queen’s here to stay.
Chennai’s own Regena Cassandra chats like your fun cousin, spilling tea on her Bollywood battles. Decade in South cinema—Tamil spark, Telugu thunder—films were playground fun. Then Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga (2019) hurled her North. “Film sets? My happy place,” she grins to Hindustan Times. But Hindi hustle? Stereotype minefield for this South star.
“I was ‘the South Indian actress,'” she mimics, rolling eyes. Her Hindi? Chef’s kiss—reads, writes, dubs self. “Kesari Chapter 2, Rocket Boys, Farzi, Jaat—all my voice!” Yet, digs hurt. “Derogatory words, actions—felt put-down, foreign. Inhibitions hit hard up North.” Not universal, she notes—kind souls abound—but bias bruised.
How’d she conquer? “Nurturing soul,” she says. Pan-India wave helps: RRR vibes opened doors. Regena’s thriving—OTT queens, big screens. Off-duty: Yoga flows, pup cuddles, beach therapy.