Here’s a Look at 7 Times Taapsee Pannu Proved To Be A Total Badass
A spunky addition to coy and cautious Bollywood, 33-year-old firebrand feminist actor Taapsee Pannu has been called Bollywood’s angry young woman. With a very quiet debut in the Hindi film industry in 2012 with Chashme Baddoor, she rose to stardom and became a public and box office sensation with her powerful performances in Pink and Badla opposite superstar Amitabh Bachchan. Her role of an independent woman who takes on the system after being molested is remarkable and made her an A-lister of tinsel town.
A former computer science engineer in the making, Taapsee took up modelling for making extra pocket money. Rejected by many, she forayed into the southern film industry and made her debut in 2010. She calls herself a rebellious child who grew up arguing her point of view and says that is reflected in her choice of work too.
On being called ‘Female Ayushmann Khurrana’
When she was touted as the female version of Ayushmann Khurrana, given her choice of socially relevant films, Taapsee was far from impressed with the comparison. “Why a female version of Ayushmann Khurrana? Why isn’t being a Taapsee Pannu enough?” she asks, yet again confronting the patriarchal attitude of Bollywood.
Backing Anurag Kashyap amidst #MeToo allegations
After Anurag Kashyap stated that all allegations against him in #MeToo are 'baseless', he found support in his Manmarziyan actor and friend Taapsee. She called the filmmaker 'biggest feminist' she knows. Sharing an image of her walking while holding Anurag's shoulder, she wrote on Instagram, "For you, my friend, are the biggest feminist I know. See you on the sets soon of yet another piece of art that shows how powerful and significant women are in the world you create.”
Her feminist work
Her core feminist belief probably makes her choose largely women-centric films. An avid squash player in real life, one of her upcoming films is all about sports - Shabaash Mithu. Directed by Rahul Dholakia, this biopic will see her essaying the role of Mithali Raj, former captain of the Indian women’s national cricket team. “I have always been asked who’s your favourite male cricketer, but you should ask them who their favourite female cricketer is,” she said.
Tackling trolls like a pro
Last year, a Twitter user called her a “cheap actor,” saying, “Your mental state is not right.” Taapsee, replying to the person, asked why he is giving her therapy sessions. She said, “And in the bargain also tell how to become an ‘expensive’ actor. Inflation toh mere mein bhi hona chahiye na.” Another one told the Saand Ki Aankh actress that he loves her “body parts”. To which, she replied, “Wow! I like them too. BTW which is your favourite? Mine is the cerebrum.”
On “Publicity Stunts”
Earlier this year, a story had about Taapsee gifting an iPhone to a Karnataka girl who scored 94 percent in PUC exams. The girl’s father had sought help from people for purchasing a smartphone to support his daughter’s education. Commenting on this story on Twitter, a troll said that it was her “publicity stunt”. Responding to him, the actress replied, “Haan sir yeh wala stunt aap bhi try karo. N please don’t use a body double for this one. Try doing this yourself.”
Asking for a fair chance
“I don’t want anything extra because I am a female. Credit me for my talent and don’t devoid me of an equal opportunity. That’s all I expect from people,” she said.
Condemning media trial of Rhea Chakraborty in Sushant Singh Rajput case
She came out to strongly criticise the media trial Rhea Chakraborty was being put through in the case of Sushant Singh Rajput’s death. “I didn’t know Sushant on a personal level nor do I know Rhea but what I know is, it only takes to be a human to understand how wrong it is to overtake judiciary to convict someone who isn’t proven guilty,” she had tweeted. Chakraborty, an actor and Rajput’s former girlfriend, has been asked to appear before authorities in an investigation into suspected money laundering surrounding Sushant Singh Rajput’s death.
(Edited by Kanishk)
