Who did Simran refer to as the ‘Dabba’ actress?

Actress Simran Rishi Bagga, popularly known as Simran, sparked speculation with her recent statement at the JFW Movie Awards show. After a video of her speech was shared by the event organizers and later posted on her Instagram, netizens began to wonder who Simran was subtly criticizing.

During her speech, Simran recalled messaging a fellow actress—her contemporary star—asking why she chose to take up a particular role in a recent project. According to Simran, the actress responded, saying it was better to take up such roles than to be cast in “aunty” roles.

Simran expressed her shock at the comment, calling it insensitive, and affirmed that she was proud to take on mature roles.

Dabba roles vs. Aunty roles

“It’s better to do aunty roles than dabba roles,” Simran said.

“I don’t mind playing aunty or mother roles. We should be confident in what we do. I’ve always embraced being a woman at every stage of life. I take on characters that reflect that—whether it’s an aunty role, a mother role, or something else (I don’t even want to say that word),” she added.

Was she referring to Jyothika?

The term “dabba” serves as a clue. Many interpreted it as a reference to ‘Dabba Cartel,’ a recent web series starring Jyothika. This led to speculation that Simran’s comments were directed at Jyothika.

Others suggested it could be Trisha, while some speculated Laila might be the target, as she recently played a relatively minor role in GOAT. As of now, Simran hasn’t named anyone directly, but the guessing game continues online as fans debate over the possible identity of the actress in question.