At a recent event, actor Taapsee Pannu highlighted how small films struggle for a proper release. Referring to her own production, Dhak Dhak (2023), she revealed that the co-producers lost enthusiasm and didn’t push for a proper release once they recovered their money before the movie hit theatres. She also mentioned that her co-actor Dia Mirza Rekhi helped her out in difficult times.

Ask Rekhi about this, and she shares, “It’s Taapsee’s generosity that she has publicly acknowledged what us standing by her and our film meant to her.”

The story revolves around a group of women who set out on a road trip, which results in their self-discovery. Rekhi adds, “Filmmaking is a collaborative, creative process. It takes the strength, will and fortitude of an entire crew to tell a story like Dhak Dhak. We were filming in extreme temperatures, in treacherous terrain and travelling to several locations.”

The reason she could further relate to Pannu’s struggle was because she, too, had undergone a similar situation while producing her film Bobby Jasoos (2014). “I will never forget what it took for me to produce Bobby Jasoos, when I was all of 28, and what it meant to have (actor) Vidya Balan’s unwavering support. When Taapsee, Pranjal (Khandhdiya, co-producer) and team were struggling, it felt personal. So, we did all we could, including hosting private screenings and interviews to lend our support,” she says.

As for the debate around the rising film costs, while small films struggle for just a proper release, Rekhi feels that actors should “support the process, so that stories like this (Dhak Dhak) are told more often. No production should ever be burdened by the weight of its cast. If anything, the cast should lend the story their might and magnanimity”.

It’s not unusual for Taapsee Pannu to be creatively involved in films that she believes in. Turning producer was then a natural progression for her. In July, the actor announced the launch of her studio, Outsiders Films, following it up with the shoot of her maiden production Blurr. Weeks after having wrapped up the shoot of the psychological thriller in Nainital, Pannu sits content, all the wiser after juggling the double duty of actor-producer.

“I was a different person on that set, unlike on any other project where I have [served] only as an actor. As the producer, I needed to make sure everyone is comfortable, everything is right on the set and that things are completed on time. I had taken on this added pressure,” begins Pannu.

Even as she wants to fulfill the responsibilities of her new role, she is certain that acting must remain her top priority when on set. “I don’t want to [divert my energy]; that’s something I want to correct [on my forthcoming productions]. When I am on the set, I want to be only an actor.”

The thriller, directed by Ajay Bahl, reportedly revolves around Pannu’s Gayatri who is slowly losing her eyesight while trying to investigate the mysterious death of her twin sister. Acknowledging that such a complex role demanded her to be focused, she credits business partner Pranjal Khandhdiya for overseeing the day-to-day production duties.

“Pranjal is hands-on and good at his job. Only after pack-up, I would assess how the day was and whether anything needed to be fixed. On Rashmi Rocket too, I was creatively involved while he did the groundwork. It was a trial run for us to gauge if we could collaborate as partners. That went well, and now, we’re in for a pretty ride,” she beams.

Managing budgets is one of the most crucial aspects of production — an area that Pannu is well-versed with. “I have been mindful of budgets on a lot of other films, where I have worked with my producer friends. I don’t take an active part in deciding [budget allocation] because that would be intrusive, but I’ve been aware of how it has been [divided].”

One must credit Taapsee Pannu for taking the term ‘outsider’ used to refer to actors who have no Godfathers in the industry and turning it on its head. First with her film choices and now with the launch of her production house — Outsider Films. “For someone who didn’t want to be an actor, I found it unthinkable to become a producer,” starts off Pannu.

Not one to confine herself to one role alone, she says, “I have learnt on the job, so I was always aware of how everything is being done. I understood how a one-line idea is fleshed into a full-fledged script and thereon a movie. However, it would feel intrusive to suggest who should be hired for which job or how to package a film. It’s beyond the scope of my job as an actor. That’s when I thought of becoming a producer, so that I could have the power to take my own calls.”

As she wields the baton of a producer, Pannu is sure of steering clear of the director’s chair. “I don’t think I have that bent of mind to handle something that complex.”

The groundwork began on the set of Rashmi Rocket, which is being produced by Ronnie Screwvala, Neha Anand, and Pranjal Khandhdiya. “I knew Pranjal from Soorma [2018]. He wanted me to partner with him, but I didn’t want to divide my energy on set. I heard the storyline [of Rashmi Rocket] in Chennai in 2018. We got screenwriters, dialogue writers, directors, the studio and took it from there. Every step in the film prepared us for the kind of hurdles we would face [with our production house],” explained the actor, adding that they finished the project with some money to spare from the assigned budget despite rescheduling due to Coronavirus and the floods.

Right before Rashmi Rocket wrapped up, Blurr came along. Emboldened by how they pulled off the former, she decided to make it her production debut. Pannu’s brand of films stands for female-fronted stories that get the audience thinking about the lack of gender equilibrium in society. “People tell me I am stereotyped, but I find myself fortunate that I am recognized for a certain kind of story. Outsider Films continues this vision,” she concludes.

Taapsee Pannu is basking in glory with back-to-back hits, the latest one being Haseen Dillruba. The actor, who has been in the film industry for more than a decade, now adds another milestone to her career with the launch of her production house, Outsiders Films.

For this venture, she has joined forces with Pranjal Khandhdiya, a content creator and producer for over 20 years. He has been involved in the production of films such as Piku (2015), Azhar (2016), Mubarakan (2017), Soorma (2018), Super 30 (2019), the upcoming ’83 and is also producing Rashmi Rocket, starring Pannu.

An elated Pannu shares, “I’m thrilled to embark upon this new journey and diversify my love for cinema with my production house. With Outsiders Films, I aim to give back to the industry and empower talent looking for a breakthrough, who come with no background like me. Pranjal and I together look forward to opening doors for fresh talents, both, in front of, and behind the camera.”

Pannu, who also owns a wedding planning company and badminton team 7 Aces Pune, feels since she has several business ventures, management comes naturally to her. “I always thought of setting up my production house. The audience and the industry has given me a lot of support and love over the 11 years of my career,” she says.

Revealing the thought that went into naming their company, the actor says, “Pranjal and I both come from humble backgrounds. That’s why the name Outsiders Films clicked with us. We aim to produce meaningful, entertaining and quality content.”

Sharing his thoughts on the new beginning, Khandhdiya says, “Forging a solid partnership needs two people to have similarities and at the same time, different opinions. This is where our partnership becomes so interesting. Taapsee and I both have similar goals, but with varied opinions and approaches. Outsiders Films gives us the opportunity to seek our creative goals while complementing each other at work.”

The newly launched company will do ground productions for all projects it’s involved in, rather than just having mere profit-sharing arrangements. The company’s first project will be a thriller, headlined by Pannu. Right now, she has a packed schedule with her next, Looop Lapeta, besides Rashmi Rocket, Dobaaraa, a South film, and Shabaash Mithu among others.