Rising Star

Unapologetic. Bold. Athletic. Delhi girl Taapsee Pannu doesn’t shy away from calling a spade a spade, and believes in living life to the fullest. In a freewheeling chat with us at the expansive JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar, the gorgeous actor tells us about her love for sport, how she came to be a part of the Indian film industry, her favourite spas around the world and much more...

- Parineeta Sethi & Rama Ahuja

She laughs with childlike exuberance, making you feel like you’re catching up with a long lost friend. The next moment, she emanates an almost Graecean glow as she strikes a pose for the camera, and you are enamoured by the diva in front of you. At the stylish Deluxe Suite at JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar, she tells us how important it is to have a plan B, and even a plan C, in life. At the award-winning Spa by JW, she reveals that beauty is a manifestation of a healthy self image. And just when we realise how practical she is, and slot her as intellectual, she reveals a fun, playful side as we shoot by the outdoor pool. That’s Taapsee Pannu. Unpredictable, confident and full of life.

Tell us about your childhood.

I had a regular childhood. I was hyperactive, an extrovert and a jack of all trades, but master of none. I dabbled in everything from sports to public speaking. I was a front bencher at school, and believed that life was too short and every single moment had to be made the most of. My parents had nothing to complain about because I scored well in exams. Thankfully, I was allowed to do most of things that I wanted to do.

Were you fond of films as a child?

Surprisingly, I wasn’t. In fact, I watched films rarely, and it was never my dream to become an actor. I wanted to be something different almost every day; one day it would be a scientist, the other an astronaut. Eventually, I became an engineer. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would become an actor one day.

So how did acting come your way?