Straight Shooter

When she puts her mind to something, Taapsee Pannu rests only once she achieves it. The actor, who is honest to her craft, herself, and other people, tellsNikita Sawant why she chooses the roles she does.

- Nikita Sawant

Taapsee Pannu is a strong actor. She’s strong in a way that she gets into the skin of the character she’s playing so she can wear it, and own it. And that’s the way she lives her life too. She doesn’t believe in mincing words and she’s not afraid to tell it like it is. Her films, be it Pink, Naam Shabana, or the more recent Mulk, featured her in solid roles, revealing her brilliance in every scene. But she’s not afraid to go the commercial way too and do films like Running Shaadi and Judwaa 2. She knows there’s nothing wrong in having a little fun and making some moolah in the process. Pannu has come in like a breath of fresh air for an audience that was tired of the same old characters and story lines; she has brought a refreshing twist to the quintessential heroine. With four Hindi films already out this year and one more to release in December, Pannu has even more to offer. Edited excerpts:

Did films always hold a special place in your heart?

Actually, no. Of course, now they do, because they’re an integral part of my life. I never aspired to become an actor. I only ever watched films when I was out with friends, and we had to think of something to entertain ourselves. It wasn’t like week after week I looked forward to Friday for a new film to release.

How did you then find yourself in Tinsel Town?