Taapsee Pannu Openly Discusses Taking a Backseat in Films to Reduce Pressure

Mumbai, India - In a recent candid conversation at Sahitya Aaj Tak, Indian actor Taapsee Pannu shared her thoughts on taking a backseat in films where she doesn't bear the pressure of the release on herself and getting to work with big-name stars.

The 33-year-old actress, known for her versatility in films like "Dunki" (2023) starring Shah Rukh Khan and its sequel to 2018's "Haseen Dillruba", revealed that she opted for a supporting role in Hirani's "Dunki" as she wanted the pressure of headline status off her shoulders.

"Possibly because everyone fears that if they don't get you with their films, people think you won't commit to those projects. But sometimes I like taking a backseat where I know I can deliver and have a decent role but not feel overwhelmed by being in the spotlight," Pannu stated.

In talking about her experience working alongside Shah Rukh Khan for "Dunki", Pannu expressed high admiration for the iconic actor, saying he possessed an on-screen presence that is rare and admirable. "Only a few people can pull off both screen and off-screen stardom so confidently," she observed.

Pannu recently made headlines with her Netflix release "Phir Aayi Haseen Dillruba", a sequel to her 2021 thriller "Haseen Dillruba". She played the role of Rani Kashyap, a character that garnered applause from audiences. Pannu pointed out that since she took on the iconic character in the first film, many actors refused to take over the part when it came time for the sequel.

"My character's acceptance of flaws made her superhuman," Pannu observed. That twist led to "Haseen Dillruba" series becoming associated with Taapsee Pannu personally and causing changes in her wardrobe preferences from having more sarees after working on those films.

Taapsee Pannu's candid thoughts reflect the growing depth and maturity of Indian women actresses, who can seamlessly weave together both strong on-screen presence and vulnerability off the camera, leaving a lasting mark in their respective genres.