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Taapsee Pannu: Breaking Trends Not Following Them


Reprising her morally grey role in Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba, Taapsee Pannu is once again taking the screen by storm. She’s not just an actor but a force that redefines roles with her embodiment of complex characters. In this sequel, Taapsee embraces the challenge of playing Rani—the character who left audiences conflicted, rooting for someone who was undeniably flawed yet inexplicably magnetic in Haseen Dillruba (2021).

“What was it about Rani that we rooted for her despite knowing she was a murderer?” Taapsee remarks. While the magic was partly due to the impeccable writing, it was her portrayal that added layers of depth—emphasizing both feistiness and vulnerability. She acknowledges the tricky nature of this role, asserting, “With slightly grey characters, the idea is to approach them in such an honest way that the audience feels that even they can make such a mistake. If you are able to convince viewers of that, you are victorious. In the sequel, Rani is doing all the wrong things, but for the right reasons,” she says, beaming with pride.

In Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba, Rani and her partner Rishu, played by Vikrant Massey, find themselves on the run from the law once again. This time, however, they face an added layer of complexity thanks to Sunny Kaushal’s character, who brings in a new romantic entanglement. As Pannu delved into her role for the Netflix sequel, she was acutely aware of the audience’s expectations. “I noticed the things on which memes were made. People liked the way Rani uses gender not to be a victim, but to get her way. So, I retained that.”

This 11-year journey in Bollywood has solidified Pannu’s reputation as an actor whose films aren’t just about entertainment but also stimulate critical conversations. Her roles in Pink (2016) and Thappad (2020) have tackled issues like consent and domestic violence, firmly establishing her in a unique niche within the industry. “It has become a borderline problem. It has become difficult to get cast in a film that doesn’t have a message,” she laughs, though she remains unregretful about the strong image she has crafted. “People work hard for decades to create some kind of image.”

With such an image, expectations inevitably follow. Pannu is acutely aware of this, noting that audiences now almost expect message-driven narratives from her.

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. A segment even believes she only chooses roles of strong, “alpha” females. Does this typecasting affect her? “It disturbs me at times. But then I remind myself not to lose myself as an actor. I constantly tell myself that I won’t sustain in the long run if I do things to please people. So, I only do things that I feel good about. I’m here for the long run; I’m not a trend. I’m not here to be the actress of the season.”

Her stance on trends is clear and resolute. “I did spy action films 10 years ago [Baby and Naam Shabana] when they weren’t a trend. So, I don’t want to do that now. I don’t like being a part of a trend. People might call me pompous, but I would prefer to be someone who can start a trend. I don’t know if I’ll be able to do that, but that’s what I aspire for.”

Taapsee Pannu’s decisions aren’t swayed by box-office trends or a people-pleasing attitude. Instead, her choices come from a desire to find substance and longevity in her roles. This has led her to pick projects that require more than just superficial commitment. It’s a philosophy that, while risky, has paid off by solidifying her as an actor of substance and depth.

As she continues to navigate the complexities of her characters and the industry, one thing is evident: Taapsee Pannu is not here to blend in but to stand out. Whether she’s playing a morally ambiguous character like Rani or breaking down societal issues on screen, her aim is clear. It’s to carve a path that others might follow—not because it’s the trend, but because it’s essential.

So, as we await the new layers that Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba will bring to her character Rani, one thing remains certain: Taapsee Pannu isn’t just acting in another film; she’s redefining how characters should be approached and how stories should be told, one bold choice at a time.

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