Almost every Bollywood actor harbours the dream of working with Shah Rukh Khan. For Taapsee Pannu, who shares screen space with the superstar for the first time on Dunki, the experience has been more fulfilling than she had imagined. Her biggest takeaway—she deeply admires Khan’s ability to offer a level-playing field to his leading ladies.

“We are lucky to have a superstar like Shah Rukh Khan, who values female presence in a film. The one common thing that actresses [in his movies] have is their agency. No one else will make decisions for a female character. Her decision might be out of line from what she is expected to do, but be it right or wrong, it is hers to make. In Dunki, [my character] has agency and power,” states Pannu.

Rajkumar Hirani completes the troika in Dunki. The director has a knack for shedding light on important subjects through humour, and the Christmas release won’t be any different. But Pannu points out an aspect that separates Hirani’s previous blockbusters from his upcoming release.

“This isn’t the usual Raju Hirani world. Raju sir is known for creating great characters—be it Munna Bhai, Sanju or PK. The men he creates are so impactful. But in this film, people will probably also remember me a bit when they walk out of the theatres. It’s one of those films where the woman will have a strong impact. I am lucky I landed this role, and that this was the combination on the table.”

Pannu’s safe haven remains Kanika Dhillon, who serves as a co-writer on the project. For Dhillon, Dunki is a homecoming of sorts as she began her career with Khan’s Red Chillies Entertainment.

All praise for the superstar, she says, “He is an actor who surrenders to a story and the director. He places his faith in the writing and creative team. You are aware of how smitten you feel around him, but work-wise, he is a director’s actor who never interferes or limits anyone. With Dunki, Raju sir, Abhijat [Joshi, writer] and I have created a world that’s unseen. Taapsee’s character isn’t unhinged like [she is] in Haseen Dillruba [2021] because the story is paramount. I was excited to see her in an avatar I had never seen before.”