Taapsee Pannu calls 'Dunki' a gift: 'I’m not some commercial, mainstream, viable heroine'

Taapsee Pannu has opened up about how rare it is for her to land a big-ticket commercial film like Dunki, calling the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer a “gift” for her decade-long commitment to socially driven cinema. In a recent interaction, the actor reflected on her journey, the challenges she faces in accessing large-scale projects, and what Dunki meant to her career.

“It’s very difficult for me to get a film like Dunki”

Speaking about her experience of working in Rajkumar Hirani’s Dunki to Indian Express, Taapsee admitted that opportunities of this scale do not come easily to her. She said, “A film like Dunki is difficult to get for someone like me because I’m not some commercial, mainstream, viable heroine. I got it because that role probably needed someone like me. That’s what I’ve been told. That’s because I did films like Assi and Gandhari before. This is what has given me my space and identity in the industry. So, this is my reality. Dunki is a gift I get for these 10 years.”

The actor, who has carved a niche for herself through content-driven films, added that Dunki felt like a reward for her persistence in backing unconventional stories and performance-led cinema.

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Balancing content-driven cinema with commercial films

While acknowledging the challenges of navigating Bollywood’s commercial space, Taapsee reiterated her commitment to meaningful storytelling. She added that while big-budget films bring visibility, her priority remains choosing scripts that resonate with her values and artistic instincts.

Taapsee added,  “I don’t know how long it will take for me to get another one. It’s a struggle because they still have to come to terms with, ‘Oh, we have to show her all glammed up.’ I started my career in the South with massy films. I began my Hindi career with David Dhawan. It doesn’t get more commercial and in-your-face than that. Then I’ve worked with Anubhav Sinha and Anurag Kashyap. It’s a very crazy choice of directors. I can do this and that. I know what gave me a certain audience. It might be small, but I’m glad I’ve earned those people’s trust. Not every actress has that privilege. So, this is my home ground.”

About Assi

Directed by Anubhav Sinha and starring Taapsee Pannu in the lead role, Assi is a courtroom drama. It has been Produced by Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar and Anubhav Sinha under the banners of Benaras Mediaworks and T-Series Films. Besides Pannu, the film also stars Kani Kusruti, Revathy, Manoj Pahwa, Kumud Mishra and Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub in pivotal roles.