Taapsee Pannu is currently enjoying the success and critical acclaim for her performance in the courtroom drama Assi. In a recent conversation with Screen, Taapsee opened up about her unique career trajectory and the challenges of landing big-budget commercial projects like the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Dunki.
Talking about her filmography, Taapsee shared that securing a role in a massive commercial film is not a simple feat for her. She credited her decade of unconventional work for opening such doors. She admitted, “A film like Dunki is difficult to get for someone like me because I’m not some commercial, mainstream, viable heroine.

Explaining why she was chosen for the Rajkumar Hirani directorial, she mentioned, “I got it because that role probably needed someone like me. That’s what I’ve been told. That’s because I did films like Assi and Gandhari before. This is what has given me my space and identity in the industry. So, this is my reality. Dunki is a gift I get for these 10 years.”
Despite her success, Taapsee acknowledged the ongoing struggle of being categorized in the industry. She mentioned that filmmakers often find it hard to see her in typical glammed up roles, despite her starting her career with massy films in the South and making her Hindi debut with a David Dhawan film.
She said, “I don’t know how long it will take for me to get another one. It’s a struggle because they still have to come to terms with, ‘Oh, we have to show her all glammed up.” Having worked with different directors like Anubhav Sinha and Anurag Kashyap, she takes pride in the loyal audience she has built. She said, “I know what gave me a certain audience. It might be small, but I’m glad I’ve earned those people’s trust. Not every actress has that privilege. So, this is my home ground.”
Her latest release, Assi, directed by Anubhav Sinha, continues her streak of performance-driven roles, featuring an ensemble cast including Kani Kusruti and Manoj Pahwa.
Also Read: Step Inside Taapsee Pannu’s New House Which Is Rightly Named Pannu Pind















