Taapsee Pannu On Self-Doubt, Learning The Hard Way In Bollywood: Wish I Didn't 'Butcher' Myself To... - EXCLUSIVE

Bollywood actress Taapsee Pannu never fails to speak her mind when it comes to sharing opinions. The actress began her career in 2010 with Telugu Film Jhummandi Naadam, and went on to star in Bollywood films

like Chashme Baddoor, Manmarziyaan, Baby, Pink and more. Recently, the actress engaged in an exclusive chat with Zoom and opened up about the emotional struggles, self-doubt, and insecurities she battled during the early phase of her career. Reflecting on her journey in the film industry, Taapsee revealed how entering cinema without preparation or guidance left her grappling with unrealistic expectations and harsh self-judgment.

Taapsee Pannu on her journey in Bollywood

In a chat with us, Taapsee called her journey “long, uneven, and painful,” and admitted that she stepped into the industry without fully understanding what it demanded. “It’s been a very long journey and it’s been very up and down, left-right, and very painful too,” she said. “I started off without having any idea about what this industry actually is.”Looking back, the actor shared that she wishes she had known earlier that a career in films was a real possibility. “Today, I actually think, yaar I really wish I knew that I had a possible career in the film industry. So I could have groomed myself,” she said. Taapsee emphasised that while she took pride in her education and learning ability, she later realised that formal knowledge alone was not enough in a visually driven industry like cinema.“I really take pride in my learning ability,” she said. “I honestly feel I’m a very ardent learner and a very quick learner. I’ve been like that since childhood. But if I don’t want to learn something, come what may, I won’t let it happen. Mera dimaag hi accept nahi karega usko.”Despite being open to learning, Taapsee said she lacked guidance during her formative years. “Nobody taught me. I never saw a career in this film industry,” she admitted. One of the biggest lessons she wished someone had shared with her early on was the acceptance of failure. “I hope somebody told me it’s okay to fail. But what’s not okay is to repeat the same mistake or to keep kicking yourself.”

Taapsee Pannu opened up about 'butchering herself' for not being 'good enough'

The Baby actor spoke about how deeply she internalised failures, often blaming herself for outcomes that were not entirely in her control. “Aap apne aapko itna zyada butcher kar lete ho ki you think you are not good enough. Every single day,” she said, adding that failures in filmmaking are rarely individual. “A failure is not just because of you. It’s a cumulative team effort, but it is put on you.”Taapsee revealed how this constant self-blame took a toll on her mental health. She shared, “You’re beating yourself up every day about the fact that aap mein kuch kami reh gayi. I wish someone told me that filmmaking doesn’t work like that. You will grow beyond it, and there will be another film for you—sooner or later.”One of the most impactful realizations for Taapsee came much later: confidence and self-ownership matter just as much as appearance. “I wish someone told me that if you feel confident and beautiful and you can own yourself, you can sell yourself,” she said.

Taapsee Pannu on beauty insecurities

Addressing long-standing beauty insecurities, she added, “I wish I didn’t feel like I don’t look like the biggest divas around, so mujhe koi heroine kyun banayega? But that’s not the only quality required to be a heroine.” Taapsee recalled that when she started out, she lacked even basic grooming knowledge. “I didn’t have basic fashion sense, makeup sense, or even know what my best angle was—nothing,” she admitted. Learning these aspects took time, but what exhausted her was the mental pressure she placed on herself during that phase.“I wish I didn’t take such a beating to learn all this in the first few years,” she said. “I learnt everything eventually, but the amount of beating I gave myself - it tired me mentally.”The actor concluded by saying she wishes she had enjoyed the learning process instead of punishing herself for not knowing enough. She said,“I wish I wouldn’t have felt that way and just enjoyed the process of learning. That is one thing I really hope someone told me.”Take a look:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqdZzzXVGsQ

Taapsee Pannu's work front

Over the years, Taapsee Pannu has firmly established her own identity in Indian cinema through a steady run of female-driven, content-focused films. Known for taking on challenging roles in hard-hitting dramas and socially relevant narratives, she has earned a reputation as one of the most reliable and fearless actors of her generation, consistently showcasing her range and versatility. Up next, Pannu will be seen in the much-anticipated film Gandhari.