Known for her intense, rooted characters on screen, Taapsee Pannu recently drew a lot of attention on social media after she posted a video of her in a swimsuit and had netizens talking about her never-seen-before avatar.

Talking about it, Taapsee says, “I am not someone who just wants to bare it all in your face. I am not someone who just turns up in a two-piece, stands there and poses. There will always be a fun element to it. So, the video you are talking about has me in a black swimsuit, coupled with a cool orange jacket, which introduces my fun side.”

Taapsee adds, “I feel my hotness or the sizzling quotient is not in the outfit but in the personality that I carry. So, that should be setting the internet on fire and not the swimsuit (laughs). I have been fit for most of my life. I am very comfortable in my body and skin, and I think it also takes one’s own confidence and ease to make sure a picture doesn’t look sleazy and comes across as something that’s aesthetically shot.”

Ask her if she wants to explore a glamorous role on screen, and she says, “I would love to explore glamorous roles. But it depends on a director who has a vision that goes beyond the conventional. I always thank David sir (director David Dhawan) for that. He had launched me in Chashme Buddoor, where he didn’t make me look glam, but then he gave me a Judwaa 2, despite seeing that I have not really done a glam role. It took a director in him to visualize that I could pull it off. So, it will take a director to think beyond what is obvious to cast me in such a role. It will be interesting for me to do a glamorous role and a new thing for the audience to see me in such a role, too, as they have rarely seen me go glam on screen.”

As told to Upala KBR (MID-DAY; June 2, 2020)

On Monday, at about 2 am, my son Varun [Dhawan] knocked on our bedroom door to inform my wife about Wajid. I couldn't sleep the whole night after that. I was close to Wajid and I cannot describe how I am feeling today. We have done five films together — Mujhse Shaadi Karogi, Partner, Chashme Baddoor, Main Tera Hero and Judwaa 2. All were box-office hits and the songs, chartbusters. You wanna partner, the title song in Partner and Besharmi ki height, Palat tera dhyan kidar hai in Main Tera Hero are my favourites. I would narrate my concept, explain it to him and he would compose songs [that met my expectations]. My last five films have been composed by the brothers.

Wajid was like a child for me. My relationship with him was indescribable. He would come home, jam with us, and have dinner with the family. Salman [Khan], who was instrumental in giving them a break in Bollywood, Sajid-Wajid and I did lot of work together. All the best songs of Salman and Varun are [composed] by him. He loved Varun and gave him such great songs in Main Tera Hero and Judwaa 2, which was difficult to compose.

Wajid was like family to us. He was a musician who played the guitar from the heart. I was discussing Wajid's music with Salman, who was shattered [on hearing the news], yesterday. Sadly, none of us could go to the funeral. We can mourn only from home.

We were in touch when he was unwell because of his kidney transplant and I didn't want to disturb him. He told me that he would step out as soon as he could and see me in my office, but he was hospitalised due to the recent virus. He didn't smoke, drink, nor did he have any vices. He passed away too young.

HOUSEFULL 4 continues its extraordinary run on satellite as it beats number of all outright Hindi films. The film has got around 4.75 crore impressions after four peak time screenings which is higher than all the other Hindi films. GOLMAAL AGAIN got 4.56 crore impressions which was the best before HOUSEFULL 4.

The film edged past the box office numbers of GOLMAAL AGAIN and now is doing the same on satellite. Both films are no doubt the biggest comedy films in the recent past. The HOUSEFULL 4 satellite numbers are only behind BAAHUBALI 2: THE CONCLUSION which had around 6.75 crore impressions after four viewings.

Below are the figures for first four screenings of the blockbuster films on television in the recent past. The number is the impressions which is basically the number of television sets which viewed the film.

Housefull 4
1st - 2,15,42,000
2nd - 1,32,26,000
3rd - 77,93,000
4th - 48,62,000
TOTAL -  4,74,23,000

Judwaa 2
1st - 1,52,66,000
2nd - 92,78,000
3rd - 63,78,000
4th - 64,53,000
TOTAL -  3,73,75,000

Golmaal Again
1st - 1,63,52,000
2nd - 1,58,71,000
3rd - 82,70,000
4th - 51,50,000
TOTAL - 4,56,43,000

Tiger Zinda Hai
1st - 1,37,04,000
2nd - 1,03,96,000
3rd - 71,82,000
4th - 74,14,000
TOTAL - 3,86,96,000

Baaghi 2
1st - 1,61,45,000
2nd - 90,84,000
3rd - 61,07,000
4th - 42,10,000
TOTAL - 3,55,46,000

Total Dhamaal
1st - 1,67,93,000
2nd - 84,58,000
3rd - 73,06,000
4th - 79,84,000
TOTAL - 4,05,41,000

2.0
1st - 1,65,13,000
2nd - 80,37,000
3rd - 72,82,000
4th 63,99,000
TOTAL - 3,82,31,000

Roshmila Bhattacharya (MUMBAI MIRROR; February 5, 2020)

Back in 1997, Salman Khan had serenaded Karisma Kapoor and Rambha with “Tan Tana Tan Tan Tan Tara, Chalti Hai Kya Nau Se Barah” in Judwaa , and despite the tapori twist, the song went on to become the dating call of Romeos across the country. Two decades later, Varun Dhawan borrowed Anu Malik’s quirky tracks for his twin chakkars with Jacqueline Fernandez and Taapsee Pannu and Judwaa 2 was a hit too. Now, Sajid Nadiadwala informs from Sri Lanka that Judwaa 3 is in the works. Who will complete the hattrick—Salman or Varun? “Neither, every time it will be a new actor,” the producer retorts, and you flashback to the original twin comedy.

The story goes that it was being made with Govinda, till, on Salman’s request, he handed over the project to Sajid and him. Today’s Midas Man acknowledges that Govinda and director David Dhawan were making the film, but things weren’t proceeding according to plans, so he took the rights from the producer Nandu Tolani and approached Salman, who told him to check with Govinda first. “Govinda was kind enough to tell us they weren’t going ahead with the film and we could do it. David came to us much later, saying he still wanted to direct it and since he was the No. 1 director then, giving three blockbusters a year, we were happy to have him,” he relays.

Prod him on why he thought Salman was the right choice for Raja and Prem and Sajid informs that during Jeet , he had grown close to the actor and off camera, got to see a lighter side to his friend. “I was struck by his comic timing and when I heard this script, I took it to him,” he reminisces. It took him a month to convince Salman, who was a Rajshri actor at the time and wasn’t too kicked about going over the top; to play to the gallery and gyrate to songs like ‘Tan Tana Tan” with pelvic thrusts. He finally gave his nod but it took another month for him to gel with David. “They were like oil and water, but once they clicked, they were infallible,” Sajid raves.

Judwaa was not only Salman’s first double role, officially, it was also his first Eid release.

But Sajid is quick to add that back then, not many filmmakers believed that people would come out to see a film on this auspicious day. So, they were on tenterhooks when the film opened on February 7. It was also a new kind of cinema for Salman and a new kind of acting. “But Judwaa was a huge hit from day one. Back then there were 5 am shows patronised by mill workers and they packed full houses. It never ran out of steam and after that Salman went on to master the genre.”

For Sajid too, it was a career turnaround. At a time when producers made one film in two years, he came up with two back-to-back hits in a span of just four months. “Jeet came in October, Judwaa in February and it was a tan tana tan to the box office,” Sajid rings off with a laugh.

HOUSEFULL 4 is a huge BLOCKBUSTER on satellite as it sees first two screenings which are second only to BAAHUBALI 2: THE CONCLUSION. That film accumulated around 4.70 crore impressions in the first two viewings while HOUSEFULL 4 has 3.50 crore. These are HISTORIC numbers and best ever for an outright Hindi film edging past BAJRANGI BHAIJAAN. It is way ahead of the other big blockbusters on television like JUDWAA 2, GOLMAAL AGAIN, TIGER ZINDA HAI, BAAGHI 2, 2.0 and TOTAL DHAMAAL. All these films have around 2.50 crore impressions barring GOLMAAL AGAIN which had 3.25 crore apprx. The film is set for a long run on satellite after its strong box office run. The second screening of the film at around 1.32 crore is not far off the first screening of many BLOCKBUSTER films. In fact the second screening would beat all the releases of last year barring TOTAL DHAMAAL, 2.0 (Hindi) and KESARI.

The film was much maligned on release by the trade and media but not only did it sustain very well at the box office, it is now getting the sort of audiences on television that very few films have in the past consolidating the audience verdict. It shows how clueless the trade and media is about what will appeal to the public and what will not and if the content is there which public will like then no amount of negativity can stop the public from consuming.

Below are the figures for first two screenings of the blockbuster films on television in the recent past. The number is the impressions which is basically the number of television sets which viewed the film.

Housefull 4
1st - 2,15,42,000
2nd - 1,32,26,000
TOTAL -  3,47,68,000

Judwaa 2
1st - 1,52,66,000
2nd - 92,78,000
TOTAL -  2,45,44,000

Golmaal Again
1st - 1,63,52,000
2nd - 1,58,71,000
TOTAL - 3,22,23,000

Tiger Zinda Hai
1st - 1,37,04,000
2nd - 1,03,96,000
TOTAL - 2,41,00,000

Baaghi 2
1st - 1,61,45,000
2nd - 90,84,000
TOTAL - 2,52,29,000

Total Dhamaal
1st - 1,67,93,000
2nd - 84,58,000
TOTAL - 2,52,51,000

2.0
1st - 1,65,13,000
2nd - 80,37,000
TOTAL - 2,45,50,000

Prashant Singh (HINDUSTAN TIMES; January 1, 2020)

Coming up in 2020: Street Dancer 3D and Coolie No 1

The new year will see you in an out-and-out entertaining space…
I am very excited about 2020. But at the same time, I strongly believe that at the end of the day, everything can’t just be about your films. That can’t define your entire life, journey or how you feel about yourself. As a human being, you grow and learn to do other things as well that give you happiness. 2019, too, was very exciting as I was shooting for two of my films. So, mujhe bahut mazaa aaya ke maine yeh do filmein pichle saal shoot kari, which will release this year. Now, I just hope that audiences love them as well.

After Kalank’s failure last year, do you feel any pressure about your upcoming films?
An outcome can’t always be the barometer of your success. I strongly feel that the journey of a film, too, has to be superb. I don’t think anyone knows ke [ek film] ka kya outcome hone waala hai. There’s no formula at all when it comes to art; there has to only be passion.

In essence, you are saying that the intent must be correct. Right?
Jab aapki niyat sahi ho toh sab kucch sahi ho jaata hai. I feel the intent has to be absolutely correct. And I can confidently say that Street Dancer 3D and Coolie No. 1 have been made with sahi niyat. To start with, I’ve huge expectations from Street Dancer. Anything you do with sheer passion, can make a big difference.

2020 will also see you work with your dad (David Dhawan) in the remake of an iconic film, Coolie No. 1 (1995). Excited?
Absolutely! I really wanted to do a massy film after Judwaa 2 (2017). And working on an out-and-out commercial movie with dad is fantastic. He is the captain of the ship, who makes us have the most fun. Like Coolie No. 1, Street Dancer 3D too is an extremely massy film.

Having recently wrapped up Thappad, Taapsee Pannu on her second outing with Anubhav Sinha
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; October 17, 2019)

Earlier this week, Taapsee Pannu wrapped up the shoot of Thappad, her second collaboration with director Anubhav Sinha after Mulk (2017). The actor asserts that the movie — despite its theme of examining the dynamics of a man-woman relationship — is not a bleak tale.

"The film is told from the viewpoint of several women and traces every kind of relationship, from fiancés to lovers to older couples. Women's lives have shades, so the movie is not as dark as Mulk. It's gritty but colourful," explains Pannu, adding that she is balancing it with glamorous parts. "Before Judwaa 2, people stopped coming to me with glam roles. Now, I've been offered a film which sees me as a glamorous character but is backed by substance."

Taapsee Pannu on why she’s never linked with her co-stars and how she hopes to start a trend of a women-led festival release
Ankita Charuasia (MUMBAI MIRROR; October 5, 2019)

Saand Ki Aankh is your first Diwali release. Feeling the heat?
Irrespective of the outcome, Bhumi (Pednekar) and I have decided to enjoy the last 20 days to the release. Yes, there’s a lot of pressure since this is the first time that we’ve been entrusted with such a big responsibility but it’s an auspicious time. We kickstarted promotions during Navratri and our film opens on Lakshmi pooja. It was necessary to take the first step towards a women-led festival release and I hope it starts a trend.

So, you and Bhumi are being trendsetters, like the women you play onscreen…
Yes, the Tomars, Chandro and Prakashi, were raised to be docile, homely women, who, for most of their lives, hid behind the ‘ghoonghat’, within the four walls of their home, letting their father, husband and sons decide for them. For them to step out, pick up a gun and hit the bullseye is a statement in itself. Their spunk adds humour to the film because they never viewed life as a struggle, not once do you feel sorry for them. If their story doesn’t inspire us, what will?

What was your first reaction to the script?
I was thinking about my mother who has never lived for herself and now that her daughters are settled and she’s turned 60, she doesn’t know what to do. She doesn’t even have hobbies. This film is for women like her who think they are too old to start something new. It’s for their families to realise that they chose to dedicate their lives to them, it was not a given.

You seemed quite at home in the Tomars’ village?
My summer vacations were spent in a village in Punjab and I was completely at home. And our stay there was more luxurious than any five-star with buckets of hot water for me to wash up after shooting and everything served with freshly churned butter. My mom, who had never visited a film set before, stayed with me for two weeks and now she and the daadis are chatting and exchanging recipes on Whatsapp all day.

Have you watched the film?
I didn’t want to watch it on the editing table but Anurag (Kashyap, producer) did and called to say he had bawled all through, yet, come out of the screening with a smile on his face. That’s everyone’s reaction.

Veteran actors Neena Gupta and Soni Razdan had a problem with Bhumi and you playing the daadis...
(Laughs) I’m used to controversies now. Maybe the trailer was so good, they wanted to do the film themselves. But I know I can play a person of any age and gender, race or sexual orientation—that’s what ‘acting’ is about. If my performance is not up to mark, you can criticise me, else it’s a lame conversation.

But just how difficult was it growing into an old woman?
Tushar (Hiranandani, director) was clear he didn’t want silicon prosthetics as it restricts facial movements and expressions. So, we went with special effects make-up, using latex which takes three hours to put on and is difficult to shoot in as even a drop of sweat ruins it. March was comfortable, but April was a nightmare. For a scene where the dadis go, “Smile now, dikha bateesi”, I had to do my makeup thrice, that’s five to six hours.

Also, ‘ghagra’ and ‘odhani’ is like a second skin for the daadis, but we had to practise for days before the shoot. I’d look at my mother and ask myself how she would have done it. This is a performance people could remember for years or laugh at. The highs made it a risk worth taking. When you challenge yourself, it helps you grow.

Anurag recently warned you about how difficult his upcoming horror film will be…
(Laughs) Yeah, I’m worried he’ll put me in minus five degrees and expect me to emote with a frozen jaw. If he chooses a chilly destination, I’ll need silicone to keep my face warm. (Laughs) But with directors like Anubhav (Sinha) and Anurag, I know I’m in good hands.

Anubhav’s Thappad is nearing completion. How’s that been?
I’ve consciously chosen characters that challenge the patriarchy. For this one, I had to tone down my firebrand image, look docile which was a bigger challenge than looking old. I chose to play Amrita, a middle-class girl whose father is a professor and mother a housewife, and who wants to be a good wife but things don’t go as planned and she finds herself questioning her decisions. She makes an impact without ranting and I had to make sure the go-getter Taapsee didn’t intervene. I could have opted for two other characters who were more me, but I change things a bit for my own sanity. Plus, the issues in Thappad are personal and every woman is going to identify with at least one of the characters. It’s a letter I wanted to write to other women.

Judwaa 2, Mission Mangal, Saand Ki Aankh and now Thappad… Is working with other actresses easy?
There have been times when actresses have backed out at the last minute because it was a two-woman project and left me fuming. Thankfully, there are others secure enough to share screen space. As women, we should be there for each other.

Would you do a Judwaa 2 again?
I’ve never said no to glamorous roles, you might see me in one next year itself. But it will have to have substance. Fortunately, the lines between content-driven and commercial cinema are blurring.

You’re never linked-up with your co-stars. What’s the trick?
(Laughs) As Vicky Kaushal says, I have been friend-zoned by the media.

So, who’s that special someone?
When I get married, I’ll tell the world. But since he’s not an actor, I don’t see any reason to speak about him. For now, my work is making headlines, no one needs to know about my personal life.

All work and no play then?
My vacations are my therapy. I hope to take off again in November after I wrap up my Tamil film.

Finally, tell us about your Kutchi athlete, Rashmi Rocket…
She is not based on any one person but borrows from different sprinters from around the world. It was Akarsh Khurana’s (director) idea to base the girl out of Kutch before taking her to the world stage. The place has a strong culture and its beauty is striking. I start prep, building an athlete’s physique, this month and we roll in January.

TOTAL DHAMAAL is putting up huge numbers on television as it records around 4 crore impressions in the first four screenings. This is the best number ever after the two BAAHUBALI films and GOLMAAL AGAIN. No other film has reached 4 crore impressions in the first four screenings except TOTAL DHAMAAL, GOLMAAL AGAIN, BAAHUBALI: THE BEGINNING and BAAHUBALI 2: THE CONCLUSION.

If we look at the results from this year then its TOTAL DHAMAAL at the top followed by 2.0 (Hindi) at 3.18 crore impressions (3 screenings) which is second best. 2.0 (Hindi) which did not fare too well on television in its original format down South is a Blockbuster on television in Hindi markets. The figures so far are pretty much comparable to TIGER ZINDA HAI although time will tell if it can sustain like that film as TIGER ZINDA HAI is still rating highly 18 months after release

Below are the figures of the blockbuster films on television tin recent past. The number is the impressions which is basically the number of television sets which viewed the film. Note - All the screenings which are registered are peak time screenings.

Judwaa 2
1st - 1,52,66,000
2nd - 92,78,000
3rd - 63,78,000
4th - 64,53,000
5th - 40,60,000
6th - 34,14,000
7th - 42,80,000
8th - 35,65,000
TOTAL -  5,26,94,000

Golmaal Again
1st - 1,63,52,000
2nd - 1,58,71,000
3rd - 82,70,000
4th - 51,50,000
5th - 49,16,000
6th - 42,19,000
7th - 33,08,000
8th - 33,71,000
TOTAL - 6,14,57,000

Tiger Zinda Hai
1st - 1,37,04,000
2nd - 1,03,96,000
3rd - 71,82,000
4th - 74,14,000
5th - 51,28,000
6th - 45,12,000
7th - 39,17,000
8th -32,48,000
9th - 30,52,000
TOTAL - 5,85,53,000

Baaghi 2
1st - 1,61,45,000
2nd - 90,84,000
3rd - 61,07,000
4th - 42,10,000
5th - 35,59,000
6th - 39,30,000
TOTAL - 4,30,35,000

Total Dhamaal
1st - 1,67,93,000
2nd - 84,58,000
3rd - 73,06,000
4th - 79,84,000
TOTAL - 4,05,41,000

2.0
1st - 1,65,13,000
2nd - 80,37,000
3rd - 72,82,000
TOTAL - 3,18,32,000

TOTAL DHAMAAL has joined the television blockbuster list after films like GOLMAAL AGAIN, TIGER ZINDA HAI, JUDWAA 2 and BAAGHI 2. The film has notched up 3.25 crore impressions after three viewings which is huge.

SIMMBA is also doing well with 1.9 crore impressions after two viewings and LUKA CHUPPI is 1.65 crore also after two viewings but these films are not at the level of the blockbusters though are still big successes on television.

Below are the figures of the blockbuster films on television till date. The number is the impressions which is basically the number of television sets which viewed the film.

Judwaa 2
1st - 1,52,66,000
2nd - 92,78,000
3rd - 63,78,000
4th - 64,53,000
5th - 40,60,000
6th - 34,14,000
7th - 42,80,000
8th - 35,65,000
TOTAL -  5,26,94,000

Golmaal Again
1st - 1,63,52,000
2nd - 1,58,71,000
3rd - 82,70,000
4th - 51,50,000
5th - 49,16,000
6th - 42,19,000
7th - 33,08,000
TOTAL - 5,80,86,000

Tiger Zinda Hai
1st - 1,37,04,000
2nd - 1,03,96,000
3rd - 71,82,000
4th - 74,14,000
5th - 51,28,000
6th - 45,12,000
7th - 39,17,000
8th -32,48,000
TOTAL - 5,55,01,000

Baaghi 2
1st - 1,61,45,000
2nd - 90,84,000
3rd - 61,07,000
4th - 42,10,000
5th - 35,59,000
TOTAL - 3,91,05000

Total Dhamaal
1st - 1,67,93,000
2nd - 84,58,000
3rd - 73,06,000
TOTAL - 3,25,57,000

LUKA CHUPPI has garnered a huge television audience on its premiere as it clocked 1.25 crore impressions. This is the third best of the year after TOTAL DHAMAAL and 2.0 (Hindi) and is better than SIMMBA which recorded 1.11 crore impressions.

If we take the last two years then the premeire rating is the eighth best leaving films like PAD MAN, SANJU, RAID and URI behind. There were films lat year which got huge premieres but did not quite follow through like DHADAK and STREE and it remains to see how this one goes. BAAHUBALI 2: THE CONCLUSION dominates the television scenario with the next best being TIGER ZINDA HAI, GOLMAAL AGAIN, JUDWAA 2 and BAAGHI 2 in that order.

The  television premieres of above 50 lakhs in 2019 are as follows.
1. Total Dhamaal - 1,67,93,000 (Star)
2. 2.0 (Hindi) - 1,65,13,00,000 (Zee)
3. Luka Chuppi  - 1,25,00,000 (Star) 
4. Simmba - 1,11,02,00,000 (Zee)
5. Race 3 - 70,85,000 (Zee)
6. Uri - 61,37,000 (Zee)

Chaya Unnikrishnan (DNA; June 11, 2019)

Taapsee Pannu has become the go-to actress for women-centric films or those with strong, feisty roles. Whether it was Pink (2016), Naam Shabana (2017) or Mulk (2018), she has stood out, thanks to her acting chops. Her last release Manmarziyaan was an intense love triangle with her at the centre of it. And now, the fiery performer will be seen in the Tamil-Telugu bilingual Game Over, which is being dubbed in Hindi and opening in cinemas on the same day. The 31-year-old considers it as a huge honour. “It usually happens for big South stars and even then, their films don’t release on the same date. The movies are dubbed and aired on TV later,” she tells us. This just goes to show the long strides the talented star has taken, becoming a name to reckon with in Bollywood as well as the South. In a candid chat, she tells us more about the upcoming thriller and her other projects.

It must be a big deal for you as your South film is being dubbed and hitting the marquee in Hindi..
Yes, it’s a huge pressure now. Even the way the poster is done — Taapsee in Game Over — is a very South thing to do. In Hindi, we don’t do that even for a Salman Khan film. But down South, the love for their stars is huge. The first time I saw the poster, I felt I have come a long way. It was overwhelming, it has been quite a bit of a journey and I have reached somewhere credible.

Can you take us through your journey?
Initially, I didn’t know anything about acting, I didn’t want to be an actor. I took it up as an experiment and my debut films in Telugu (Jhummandi Naadam, 2010) and Tamil (Aadukalam, 2011) got a thunderous response. That’s when I decided this is my destiny. But then I made mistakes by choosing the kind of movies that didn’t make sense to me as I didn’t have a sense of cinema. I listened to people telling me this is what actresses do and realised it’s not working for me. There were back-to-back flops and I was considered bad luck. I was blamed for the fate of even those films in which I had only three songs and five scenes. So, I thought if that’s the case, I might as well choose the projects that I want to do.

I thought if that’s the case, I might as well choose the projects that I want to do. So, from five-six movies a year in both Telugu and Tamil, I reduced it to one. People said this was the end of my career, but I was the one turning down offers. I moved to Bollywood with Chashme Baddoor (2013) and patiently waited for the best roles because I didn’t want to repeat the mistakes I made in the South by choosing only fancy films. Once that started working, the perception in the South changed and they started to give me the kind of roles I wanted to. Today, I am striking a balance between Hindi and regional cinema.

What kind of prep did you have to do for Game Over?
Most of the prep was during the reading sessions. This is not a regular fiery character people know me for. In fact, it’s the total opposite. She has gone through a trauma and every year, when that date approaches, it affects her. Her mind and body start reacting weirdly, due to which she meets with an accident and she ends up in a wheelchair. As an actor, it was mentally draining. I used to play Ludo in between shots, and hang out with friends during my off days. I didn’t want to stay alone. I used to watch a lot of comedies to lighten my mood because the experience was traumatic.

Do you get affected by the roles you play?
Yes, the role stays with me even after the film is over. It takes away something from me, which I don’t realise. It also changes me as a person. If you see my filmography, most of the characters I have played are intense. I get affected every time I do a movie and end up dressing up like that. After Manmarziyaan, I used to wear a lot of indie dresses and after Judwaa 2, I would dress in a hot chic way (laughs). I make it a point to take a week off on a holiday and disconnect from work after I finish a film’s shoot.

Do filmmakers come to you with strong roles or do you choose only those kind of parts?
It’s a mix of both. The makers of Game Over approached me, but I pursued the makers of Saand Ki Aankh. When I spot that there is a good film/script around, I go for it, I have no shame. For instance, I wanted Anubhav (Sinha) sir to write on this subject (the dynamics of the husband-wife relationship) and since the promotions of Mulk, we knew we are going to work together again in Thappad. The supernatural thriller I’m doing with Anurag (Kashyap) came my way. We had discussed it during Manmarziyaan.

Your upcoming films, Saand Ki Aankh, Thappad and the supernatural thriller, have you as the protagonist. Don’t you want to do a masala flick like Judwaa 2 again?
Yes, I want to. There are preconceived notions that I will not do a smaller part. But it’s nothing like that. It’s just that it shouldn’t be so insignificant that if you take me out of the movie, nothing changes in it. I really hope such a film comes my way. I want to lighten up my filmography, be a little relaxed on the set and not always be so intense. I will wait for such a role. I am not averse to it.

The actress and Vicky Kaushal joined forces to offer insights into their charmed showbiz life
Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 7, 2019)

Taapsee Pannu and Vicky Kaushal, who were romantically paired in Anurag Kashyap’s first love story, Manmarziyaan, last year, recently reunited for a Colors Infinity chat show. And while they exchanged notes on their close camaraderie that took shape during their 2018 release, the conversation assumed a particularly candid tone when it was time for trick questions. When asked to name the biggest diva that she has worked with, Taapsee said it would be her Judwaa 2 co-star Varun Dhawan “hands down”. “Varun will do push-ups just before a shot and makes sure everything is proper. If he doesn’t like a close-up shot, he’ll be like, ‘No! I think I can do it better.’ I’d have to tell him to calm down,” she revealed.

When asked about the last time she “got drunk and made a fool of herself,” Taapsee clarified that “such a phenomenon occurs once or twice a year, but when it happens, it is very embarrassing.” The last time was during Manmarziyaan’s wrap-up party. “Both Vicky and I got too drunk and we were lying in the garden. I was like, ‘This is where I will sleep tonight’,” the actress informed.

Elaborating on the incident, Vicky shared that said garden was a part of the hotel the film’s team was staying at during an outdoor schedule. “All of us would go there for walks after dinner every day. That night, Taapsee flat-out refused to leave, saying she wanted to crash there. I had to say, ‘Main jaa raha hoon’ to convince her to leave,” the actor added.

Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; March 9, 2019)

Taapsee Pannu is your quintessential girl next door, who is comfortable in her own skin. Her strength not only lies in speaking her mind, but also knowing the difference between calling out lack of ethics and principles as opposed to maligning people. In a heartfelt chat with BT, the actress talks about rejection, ambition, her rising film career, rapport with the Bachchan duo and much more. Read on…

One tends to associate you with content-driven films and that’s an achievement in itself. Are you living your dream?
I never dreamt of becoming an actress or being in a position where people think that only I can do a certain role, so this feels surreal. After Manmarziyaan, people told me that they couldn’t think of any other actress who could have played my role better. These compliments mean a lot to me, because I never thought I would be able to reach this place.

In retrospect, do you think that Pink (2016) was the turning point in your career?
Most definitely, yes. After Pink, people were confident about one thing — I can act. Acting ka scope dikhaney ke liye bahut films milti hai, but how many of those films get noticed? Fortunately for me, Pink was appreciated and got the reach it deserved. I will not accept people telling me that ‘you don’t do mainstream cinema’. I am pretty much in the mainstream. Just because I don’t do conventional or formula films, it doesn’t make me an indie film actor. I am neither an audience to out-and-out indie films, nor the total brainless films which don’t even give me a hearty laugh, let alone allow me to use my brain. As an audience and an actor, I don’t believe in extremes. I like a good mix of substance and entertainment. Anything that keeps me engaged for two hours is a commercial film and I like doing and watching those films.

Pink, Naam Shabana, Soorma, Manmarziyaan and now Badla... when you do films like these, a Judwaa 2 feels a bit out of place. What kind of cinema makes you feel at home?
I started off my career with films like Judwaa 2 in the South. My introduction to cinema was these films. People weren’t aware of that when I started doing Hindi films, so it was assumed that I can only do a certain kind of cinema. Films like Judwaa 2 work as great stress-busters. I felt like a Bollywood diva when I shot for it. I loved dressing up, going all glamourous, which I don’t get to do quite often. The dream is to bag a role that is both glamorous and author-backed. I am waiting for that day and that one role... something like Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway got to do in The Devil Wears Prada (2006). It was set in the glamour world and the characters had so much substance.

It must be rather intimidating to share screen space with a legendary actor like Amitabh Bachchan. Given that Badla is your second film with him (after Pink), was it less intimidating this time around?
It was intimidating to face him on the first day of Pink. After that, I switched off that button in my head and told myself that ‘I will not get intimidated by my co-star’ as it would hamper my performance. I feel that he likes it when actors don’t put him on a pedestal and make him seem inaccessible. He feels weird when people treat him like a demigod. He’d rather have a good conversation with them. I treat him like any other cool co-star, perhaps the way I treat Abhishek (Bachchan). In fact, I am more comfortable with Big B than Abhishek as I have done two films with the father and just one (Manmarziyaan) with his son. I have a good rapport with Bachchan Sr. When I text him, he replies with cool emojis. He is into that a lot lately; he replies to messages more with flower emojis than words (smiles).

How similar or different are the two — Abhishek and Amitabh?
Since they are father-son, they have the same demeanour — how they sit, voice texture... one reminds you of the other. Abhishek playfully bitches about my behaviour with his dad to people because he finds it extremely amusing. He feels even he wouldn’t dare to behave with his father the way I do. I treat Bachchan Sr like any other co-star and he trips on that. He probably hasn’t seen others behaving like that with his father.

You are not considered a typical ‘heroine material’ by some since you don’t have that diva-like persona. Do you think that works in your favour?
I am an average Indian girl, who isn’t extraordinarily good-looking and that is my biggest strength. The characters I play resonate with the average Indian woman, which is my core audience.

Also, you are anything but diplomatic...
Speaking the truth is a lot easier. Putting up a façade or a certain image is a lot of hard work. I am a very lazy person, so I refrain from lying as I would forget what story I have cooked up before. I won’t be able to remember the cover-up. If I am rejecting a script, I say exactly why I don’t like it, without mincing my words. People are pleasantly surprised when you are direct about saying a ‘no’. I get told by people to be diplomatic... they ask me to network and socialise and I tried that in the beginning, but I realised that it takes more effort than what is actually required on a film set.

Given that the industry is known for fragile egos, can you survive without socialising in Bollywood?
I have survived and I am doing decently well. If you aren’t social enough, you probably won’t reach those great heights of success soon. However, if you are really good at your craft, you will eventually get there, just that you may take longer than the others. But there are times when I do regret my lack of need to be social. I feel that I would have reached a certain stage faster if I weren’t this way. For instance, many times, casting happens before I get to know that a certain film is happening and that so and so are looking for actors. If you mingle with people, you are privy to this information. Nonetheless, I am happy that people are noticing me now.

You also called out the makers of Pati Patni Aur Woh remake for replacing you after blocking your dates and not informing you in advance...
I always knew that you can’t trust people blindly. I am used to rejection. I have been replaced by other actors owing to favouritism or sometimes because I am genuinely not good enough or suitable for a certain role. I am an outsider so you get used to getting things the hard way. However, after blocking my dates, I discover that someone else (Bhumi Pednekar) has been roped in. That’s wrong. It’s okay to replace an actor after blocking their dates, but tell them. Have the courtesy to inform. I will feel bad, but I will at least appreciate that I was told. I get to know through someone else that I was dropped... that’s not done. I called out that behaviour. In return, they gave statements like they had never committed that part to me. I could have easily made it all uglier and bitter by releasing the messages that are proof of my dates being locked, but I didn’t do it because I wanted to call out the wrong practice, not those people.

Do you think men find you intimidating, given your fiery persona?
No guy has ever asked me out on a date in school or college and it’s still the same (smiles). Women show me more love than men do. I get a lot of compliments from women and while I love that, I want to get those compliments from men as well.

Taapsee Pannu on why her last film didn’t appeal to the masses, her friendship with Anurag Kashyap & #MeToo
Ankita Chaurasia (MUMBAI MIRROR; February 15, 2019)

Speaking from Bagpat, Uttar Pradesh, where she is filming Anurag Kashyap’s Saand Ki Aankh, Taapsee Pannu is excited about the reactions to the trailer of her upcoming film, Badla, also featuring Amitabh Bachchan. In the Sujoy Ghosh directorial, she plays Naina Sethi, an entrepreneur, accused of murder. She reveals that she was approached for a different role but chose to play Naina because “she is a strong woman who knows what she wants from her lawyer”.

Badla, an official adaptation of the Spanish film The Invisible Guest, is Taapsee’s second collaboration with Amitabh after Pink and a repeat of the lawyer-client equation. Bring up the coincidence and she chuckles, “It will be a USP of the film but this time the circumstances are different. Pink’s Minal Arora was meek and at the mercy of the lawyer. In Badla I had to match up to Mr Bachchan and it was intimidating.” She dealt with it by pretending she didn’t have a legend for a co-star. “Even Mr Bachchan appreciates it when you treat him like a co-star instead of putting him on a pedestal. Now, he is a buddy who I can sit and chat with,” she smiles.

Talking about buddies, she is currently working on her second film with Anurag after Manmarziyaan, though this one he is only producing. She admits he is an extremely close friend now. “We are two brutally honest people and too lazy to hide things from each other or make up stories. Don’t be surprised if we work together again,” she says conspiratorially. Ask her if she consults him before signing a film and pat comes the answer, “No, that is not the right way to do it.”

The actress who plays strong female characters on screen, is equally vocal off it. Earlier, she had lashed out in Mirror (January 17) after being dropped from the Pati Patni Aur Woh remake after blocking her dates and letting go of other projects. “I don't come from a filmi background so there have been times earlier too when I have been considered for a role but didn't land it. This was different because I was asked to block dates, I wasn't targeting anyone,” she says on a quieter note.

The role has now gone to her Saand Ki Aankh co-star, Bhumi Pednekar, and Taapsee insists she is happy for her because it is a good role but they don’t discuss films on the sets. “We just keep talking about what to eat and how to work out using the things available,” she laughs, adding that they are milking cows, making cow-dung cakes and carrying kids around as the film is a biopic of the world’s oldest sharpshooters, 87-yearold Chandro Tomar and her 82-year-old sister-in-law Prakashi, popularly known as the ‘Revolver Daadis’ who started out in their mid-50s, and have since won over 100 medals in the veteran category across championships in the North zone and at the pre-nationals.

Since they are shooting right next to their house, both the ladies are always present on the sets and have even lent the unit their cattle. What’s more, even their extended family has driven down from Delhi to watch the shoot, along with the rest of the villagers who gather every night on the rooftops, despite the freezing temperatures, to see what the filmwallahs are doing. “It’s very amusing for them,” laughs the actress, who was last seen on screen in Manmarziyaan.

Quiz her on what went wrong with the Vicky Kaushal and Abhishek Bachchan love triangle and she reasons, “Our audience expects to see righteous heroines on screen, they forget that in the real world, everyone has shades of grey. They would have loved it if Rumi had sacrificed her love for marriage. Our audience is yet to wake up to real characters, especially when it comes to women. They accepted the Dhoom baddies, but when it comes to the heroine, the ghar ki izzat is on her shoulders. I want all my films to be a money spinner, but no one can predict what happens.”

She did have a money-spinner in Judwaa 2 so why don’t we see her doing more such projects? “Films like Judwaa 2 are reducing in numbers, now the audience wants content-driven, real films. There are many actresses who are good in the Judwaa 2 kind of films, I am way behind them in the queue,” she points out, saying she doesn't mind doing a commercial film but someone has to recommend her first.

The actress has just wrapped up Jagan Shakti’s Mission Mangal, also featuring Akshay Kumar and Vidya Balan, and admits that since she is a qualified engineer in real life, some of the terms that they used as scientists in the film, came easy to her. “With the kind of scripts I am getting and the films I’m signing, the audience can bank on me now,” she promises. “Things are changing,” asserts the actress.

Talking about changes, the industry is going through an upheaval after the #MeToo movement last year. She admits that now everyone is wary about what they say or do on the sets and think twice before cracking a joke. And while she agrees that it is not an ideal situation, she insists it is the need of the hour. “Whenever there's a change, it is bound to be disruptive. It might be inconvenient for people to check themselves all the time, but this inconvenience is good. Women have been going through it for too long, rules need to be reframed,” she declares. 

Rinky Kumar (DNA; November 11, 2018)

In his career spanning over three decades, Paresh Rawal has given several memorable performances. The versatile artiste has portrayed villainous, comic as well as powerful character roles with equal aplomb. Now, he is happy that the younger lot of actors are breaking the barriers when it comes to their roles. They aren’t shying away from portraying character roles as well as those with grey shades.

The 63-year-old is appreciating artistes who are making intelligent choices. He says, “I salute young actors like Rajkummar Rao, Ayushmann Khurrana and Varun Dhawan who are doing exceptionally good work. Take the case of Varun, for instance. He has managed to strike a balance between commercial and not-so-commercial movies. He did October, along with Sui Dhaaga: Made In India and Judwaa 2. Earlier, actors would never have so much courage.”

Likewise, Rajkummar, who started out as a character artiste, has been shining bright in movies such as Newton, Bareilly Ki Barfi and Stree. Ayushmann, on the other hand, has acted in films such as Shubh Mangal Saavdhaan, AndhaDhun and the recently-released Badhaai Ho.

In fact, Paresh was all praises for the Amit Sharma directorial on his Twitter account. He had tweeted, “Badhai Ho is like a cool breeze on a hot humid day — an endearing n delightful family entertainer -congrats @iAmitRSharma for the magic superb performances (sic).” Ask him, if today’s actors are uninhibited due to content-rich movies lapped up by viewers, and he replies, “The audiences were always ready for such kind of movies. But we weren’t offering such fare to them. Now that we are giving it to them, they are loving it. It has proved that irrespective of how big a star you are, you have to play a character. A star can no longer pull off a film on the basis of his star power, he has to play a solid character.”

‘SANJU WASN’T WHITEWASHED’
Earlier, this year, Paresh was seen in Rajkumar Hirani’s Sanju as Sunil Dutt, while Ranbir Kapoor played Sanjay Dutt’s part. While their performances were appreciated, many felt that it ‘whitewashed’ Sanjay’s chequered past.

However, Paresh is quick to dismiss such feedback and says, “Sanju (referring to Sanjay) has completed his sentence. He had served his time, after which the film was made. Had it been made before the completion of his tenure, then we could say that it was whitewashed. Whatever is there in the public domain has been depicted in the film. Every person has an emotional thread and when it snaps, it propels him to commit a crime. So, how can anyone say that the movie has ‘whitewashed’ him?”

‘URI IS A BRAVE FILM’
Now, the Padma Shri recipient is looking forward to his next project, Uri: The Surgical Strike, which opens in cinemas in January 2019. The military drama is based on the Indian Army’s surgical strikes on terror launch pads across the Line of Control (LOC). In this film, the actor plays Ajit Doval, the National Security Advisor to the Prime Minister of India.

Quiz him about this movie, whose teaser has got a positive response, and the actor says, “I’m excited to be a part of it. It showcases the indomitable spirit of the armed forces, who show a lot of grit, courage and determination in the face of adversities. It’s difficult to make a war film that is truthful and authentic, but writer-director Aditya Dhar has managed to do so.”

DNA (October 25, 2018)

For the moment, it looks like Varun Dhawan is done experimenting with middle-of-the-road cinema. His last two outings — October directed by Shoojit Sircar and Sui Dhaaga: Made in India helmed by Sharat Kataria — didn’t exactly set the box office on fire.

Both films were profitable because they were made on modest budgets and didn’t have the young actor charging his actual market price! However, the two releases themselves didn’t have the legs to cross the coveted Rs 100-crore mark. Of course, Varun’s star power is what helped both, October and Sui Dhaaga, get the final numbers that they did. While October registered India nett box-office numbers of Rs 40.50 cr (lifetime), Sui Dhaaga has collected approximately Rs 79 cr (till Tuesday, October 23). However, in a year when his contemporaries’ (Ranbir Kapoor and Ranveer Singh) films collected Rs 337.54 cr (Sanju) and Rs 283 cr (Padmaavat), Varun’s two releases didn’t exactly break the bank.

We hear from reliable sources that keeping this in mind, the Gen-Y star has decided to team up with his filmmaker father David Dhawan. A source says, “David and Varun will mostly do the remake of the Govinda-Karisma Kapoor-starrer Hero No 1 (1997). Last time, when they had teamed up for Judwaa 2 (2017), it went on to make Rs 132.39 cr nett.” Their second collaboration will also mark the launch of the Dhawans’ home banner.