Taapsee Pannu’s rise in showbiz has been a steady one. Instead of going the traditional route by doing massy films, the actor took up hard-hitting projects like Badla (2019) and Thappad (2020). Now, she is preparing for the release of one of her biggest roles as yet — Manu in Dunki, opposite actor Shah Rukh Khan in a Rajkumar Hirani directorial. Interestingly, being a Khan heroine is a spot reserved for female actors who are at the peak of their careers like Kajol (Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge; 1995), Kareena Kapoor Khan (Ra.One; 2011) and Deepika Padukone (Pathaan). Dunki will propel the 36-year-old into the big leagues, and trade experts agree.

“It’s a big deal to be paired opposite not just the biggest superstar, but [also work with] a director like Hirani. Romancing Shah Rukh Khan means she has reached the top rung of the ladder,” says trade expert Atul Mohan.

Producer and trade analyst Girish Johar feels that the Haseen Dillruba (2021) actor has proved herself many times: “Taapsee has a spark of being a powerhouse performer, who can do a lot more. The audience wants to see more of her and Dunki is one of those films.”

An actor’s career isn’t just about their choices, but also the films offered to them and trade expert Komal Nahta says, “Taapsee got more [offers] for films like Badla, Pink (2016), so she went that way, till a filmmaker like Rajkumar Hirani thought she is ideal for this kind of cinema, too. Maybe this is her ticket to commercial cinema.”