Actor Tara Sutaria has spoken candidly about getting her first period at the age of 14, managing menstruation while working on film sets and why she believes the subject should no longer be treated as taboo.
Mumbai: Actor Tara Sutaria has opened up about a deeply personal milestone from her teenage years, recalling the unexpected moment she got her first period while singing on stage at the age of 14.
In a recent interaction with Hauterrfly, the Toxic actor discussed her early understanding of menstruation, the support she received from her mother and the challenges of managing periods while working long hours on film sets.
Tara also spoke about the importance of using the word “period” openly rather than relying on euphemisms or treating menstruation as something that should be hidden.
Tara Sutaria Says She Got Her First Period While Performing on Stage
Tara said she had received information about periods both at school and at home before experiencing menstruation herself.
According to the actor, conversations around the subject were relatively open in her household, while attending an all-girls’ school also made menstruation an important topic among students.
“My mum used to talk about everything. I was in an all-girls’ school. So it was an important topic of conversation,” Tara said.
She recalled that her group of friends was also open about discussing periods, particularly during the years when many young girls were experiencing menstruation for the first time.
Reflecting on her own experience, Tara said the moment came unexpectedly while she was performing.
“It’s the first time. You are confused. You don’t know how to feel. I was 14… I was singing on stage and I got my period,” she said.
The actor immediately informed her mother.
Her Mother Helped Her Navigate the Experience
Tara recalled that her mother was supportive and helped her understand how to manage the situation.
According to the actor, her mother took the time to explain how to use a sanitary pad and provided reassurance during what was a new and unfamiliar experience.
Tara also shared that her mother encouraged her to call her maternal grandmother and tell her about the milestone.
In many Indian families and communities, a girl’s first period is treated as an important stage of growing up, although experiences and traditions can differ widely between households.
For Tara, the experience was supported by open communication at home and a mother who had already ensured that the subject was not entirely unfamiliar to her.
Managing Periods While Working on Film Sets
Tara also discussed the practical challenges of managing menstruation while working in the entertainment industry.
Film sets can involve demanding schedules, lengthy shoots, physically challenging sequences and situations in which actors may be required to maintain a particular appearance or energy level throughout the day.
The actor said there are times when performers may be expected to look and feel their best while privately dealing with symptoms associated with menstruation.
“Sometimes, you are shooting a song or something where you have to look amazing and feel amazing, but you have periods. You don’t really feel amazing,” Tara said.
She spoke about feeling bloated, tired or irritable at different times during her menstrual cycle.
The challenge, she explained, can sometimes involve knowing when and how to ask for a break while working in a fast-paced professional environment.
“You don’t know how to say, ‘I need to stop. I need to take a break. I need to go to my trailer.’ You feel a little bit overwhelmed,” she said.
Why Speaking Up Matters on Set
Despite the difficulties that can arise while filming, Tara said she tries to communicate openly when necessary.
She explained that she does not hesitate to inform a director about her situation when menstruation affects how she is feeling on a particular day.
At the same time, she said she remains conscious of her professional responsibilities and tries to manage unexpected situations without unnecessarily affecting the production.
Her comments highlight a wider conversation about workplace environments and the importance of allowing women to communicate openly about health and comfort.
For performers, physical demands can vary significantly depending on the nature of a shoot. Dance sequences, action scenes, outdoor filming and long schedules can create additional challenges when someone is already experiencing discomfort.
Tara’s approach, according to her comments, is to find a practical balance between speaking up when needed and continuing to meet her professional commitments.
Tara Sutaria Recalls Shooting in the Rain During Tadap
The actor also recalled a particularly demanding experience while filming for Tadap.
Tara said she was shooting a sequence in the rain in Mussoorie while she was on her period.
The circumstances were challenging, but the sequence had to be completed, and she found a way to manage the situation.
“As women, we navigate everything,” she said.
The experience illustrates one of the practical realities performers can face while working on location. Film production schedules can involve weather-dependent scenes and other logistical factors that may make it difficult to delay or reschedule certain sequences.
Tara’s account focused on adapting to the circumstances while continuing her work.
‘Period Is a Period’: Tara on Breaking the Taboo
One of the strongest points in Tara’s conversation was her rejection of euphemisms used to describe menstruation.
Expressions such as “that time of the month” are commonly used as indirect alternatives to the word “period,” but Tara said she sees no reason to avoid using the actual term.
“Period is a period. You should call it a period. You don’t have to hide it or call it any other word. Call it a period,” she said.
The actor questioned why menstruation continues to be treated as a taboo subject.
“It’s 2026, we should be talking about everything,” she added.
Her comments reflect the broader push for more open and straightforward conversations about menstrual health.
Why Open Conversations About Menstruation Matter
Tara’s experience also underlines the role that communication can play when young people first experience menstruation.
For many, the first period can be confusing, particularly if they feel uncomfortable asking questions or lack access to reliable information and support.
Tara said that her mother had discussed the subject openly with her and that attending an all-girls’ school meant periods were part of regular conversations among students.
That combination of information and support appears to have helped her navigate an unexpected experience at the age of 14.
Her account does not suggest that every person’s experience is the same. Families, schools and communities approach conversations around menstruation differently.
However, Tara’s comments emphasise her own belief that the subject should be discussed without shame or unnecessary secrecy.
From a Personal Memory to a Wider Conversation
What began as a personal memory about getting her first period while singing on stage has become part of a wider discussion about menstrual health, workplace communication and the stigma surrounding periods.
Tara spoke candidly about moments when working during her period has been physically demanding and emotionally overwhelming.
From shooting a rain sequence in Mussoorie to managing the pressure of looking camera-ready during songs and other sequences, the actor described the practical adjustments women often make while continuing with their work.
Her message remained straightforward: periods should not be treated as an embarrassing subject.
By speaking openly about her own experiences, Tara has contributed to a public conversation about normalising discussions around menstruation and encouraging greater comfort with the subject.
As she put it, there is no need to hide behind alternative phrases.
A period, Tara Sutaria said, is simply a period.
