Taapsee Pannu On Being An Outsider In Bollywood: 'It Will Never Be Easy'

(MENAFN- Khaleej Times)

It has been over 15 years since Taapsee Pannu entered the Indian film industry as an outsider, without the backing of a film family or industry godfathers. Today, the actor says she has made peace with the fact that her journey will never be easy, but believes that owning her voice and standing her ground through the stories she chooses will ultimately define her legacy.

Reflecting on her biggest learning while navigating the industry, Taapsee spoke to an Indian media outlet about the challenges that come with being an outsider.

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“That it will never be easy,” she said.

But instead of viewing this as a setback, the actor sees it as motivation.“If you want something no one has ever gotten, you have to do something no one has ever done,” she explained. For her, the focus has always been on longevity and accountability.“I have to remember that my work is for posterity. Whatever I do, I should be able to own it at every stage of my life.”

Taapsee also stresses the importance of individuality in an industry often driven by comparisons.“I'm not here to be a clone of somebody because then my entire life will be about being a first copy. Everyone is blessed with a unique voice and presence, so I should find mine because that's the best way to leave a lasting impact,” she adds.

A Filmography Built on Choice and Conviction

Over the years, Taapsee Pannu has carved her own path by balancing conventional and unconventional roles. Her filmography includes critically and commercially notable titles such as Pink, The Ghazi Attack, Mulk, Manmarziyaan, Haseen Dillruba, and Dunki.

She was last seen in Mudassar Aziz's Khel Khel Mein, which also starred Akshay Kumar, Vaani Kapoor, Ammy Virk, Aditya Seal, Pragya Jaiswal, and Fardeen Khan.

Looking back at the early phase of her career, Taapsee admits that her initial choices were shaped by industry expectations.“I chose the conventional, obvious projects in the beginning of my career in the south, only to realise that the expected conventional path is not probably what is meant for me,” she says.

When it comes to selecting projects today, Taapsee says her instincts play a major role, especially when it comes to representation.

“I cannot leave aside the female point of view I have when I listen to stories,” she shares.“It's not something I do voluntarily. It's natural to me.”

The actor explains that her worldview has largely been shaped by female experiences, which influences her decision-making process.“My view of life has been a lot through a female gaze or experiences, which help me decide if a story clicks with me or not. Since I choose films that work for my gut and intuition, it by default caters to the woman in me.”

What's next for Taapsee Pannu?

While Taapsee is keeping details of her upcoming projects under wraps, she hints that audiences can expect to see her explore new territories. According to the actor, the focus remains on stories and characters that challenge her.

“Audiences will see me exploring new characters and facets of society that deeply fascinate me,” she says.

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