'I was treated in derogatory manner…': Regina Cassandra recalls silent discrimination in Bollywood

Opening up about the ill treatment she faced while working in the North. Regena revealed that she was frequently treated in a demeaning manner and often felt deliberately sidelined by the actions and attitudes of others.

Actress Regina Cassandra, best known for her work in movies like Awe (2018), Maanagaram (2017), Jyo Achyutananda (2016), Pilla Nuvvu Leni Jeevitham (2014), and VidaaMuyarchi (2025), recently opened up about her limited work in the Hindi belt, suggesting that her South Indian background may have influenced how she’s perceived in the industry.

In an interview with the Hindustan Times, the Thunivu star spoke about encountering behaviour that made her feel discouraged during her early days in the showbiz industry. She began by clearing the common misconceptions, saying that despite her South Indian roots, she has always been fluent in the Hindi language. "My Hindi is significantly better than most might expect, I can read, write and speak it with ease."

On her dedication to staying authentic, Regina explained that in every Hindi film she’s worked, she makes sure to use her own voice to ensure her performance remains true to the character.

Opening up about the ill treatment she faced while working in Bollywood, the actress expressed that she was frequently treated in a demeaning manner and often felt deliberately sidelined by the actions and attitudes of others.

“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.

"I did have some inhibitions," she admitted, acknowledging how this mistreatment shaped her perspective, even as she admitted that there are exceptions to this toxic industry culture.

These early sour moments left Regina feeling hesitant about her continuation in the Bollywood industry. However, she quickly clarified that this wasn't her overall experience. She acknowledged that the industry also offered her a stage for remarkable growth, as she has managed to carve a niche space in the Hindi circuit through impressive performances in web series like Rocket Boys and Farzi.

On the professional front, 2026 is a packed schedule for Regina, who is juggling high-profile sequels with brand-new ventures. She will be seen in the Nayanthara-starrer Mookuthi Amman 2 and is playing a lead in an investigative Tamil web series for Prime Video.