Taapsee Pannu: A True Original

The actor in conversation with Ainee Nizami Ahmedi on the roles that shape her on & off screen

- Ainee Nizami Ahmedi

Observing Tapsee Pannu on the sets of our cover shoot lends a fair insight into who she is as a person. Confident, decisive and prompt, she knows her angles and is not afraid to ask for what she wants-qualities that have held her in good stead as she's navigated over a decade in the film industry, taking on neither conventional nor easy film roles. "At this point, I feel my professional choices are largely driven by the value of my time," she says. "I want to be sure if taking up a certain project is worth my time because I want to enjoy life beyond work. The second factor is relevance. I would love to cherish my filmography years from now. So, I don't want to invest time in something that will not stand the test of time."

From her debut in the Telugu film Jhummandi Naadam in 2010 Pannu's filmography boasts an impressive string of characters that have not only won awards but also spurred conversations. Her courtroom drama, Pink (2016), shed light on the topic of consent, while her portrayal of the septuagenarian sharpshooter Prakash Tomar in the biopic Saand Ki Aankh (2019) focused on two women who stood up to patriarchy. I ask her about her approach to these roles and what gets her under the skin of these characters? "I like to challenge myself and step out of my comfort zone. This way each day on set is an exciting adventure. When it comes to acting, I thoroughly enjoy the process of getting to live so many lives. I get to view things from another character's perspective. And I like seeing that story as an output on screen. I enjoy the fact that we've been able to create a world from only words and pure imagination," she says.