Bollywood star Taapsee Pannu is never shy about expressing her thoughts. She launched her career in 2010 with the Telugu film Jhummandi Naadam and subsequently
appeared in Bollywood movies such as Chashme Baddoor, Manmarziyaan, Baby, Pink, and others. In a recent exclusive interview with Zoom, the actress candidly discussed the emotional challenges, self-doubt, and insecurities she faced during the initial stages of her career. Reflecting on her path in the film industry, Taapsee shared how entering the cinematic world without proper preparation or mentorship left her struggling with unrealistic expectations and severe self-criticism.
Taapsee Pannu on her Bollywood journey
During our conversation, Taapsee described her journey as “long, bumpy, and painful,” admitting that she entered the industry without a clear understanding of its demands. “It’s been a very lengthy journey with many ups and downs, twists and turns, and it has been quite painful,” she remarked. “I began without any real knowledge of what this industry entails.”
Looking back, the actress expressed a desire to have realized sooner that a career in film was a viable option. “Today, I genuinely think, I really wish I had known that I could have a career in the film industry. Then I could have prepared myself better,” she stated. Taapsee highlighted that while she values her education and ability to learn, she later understood that formal knowledge alone was insufficient in a visually-oriented field like cinema.
“I take great pride in my ability to learn,” she noted. “I truly believe I’m a very passionate and quick learner. I’ve been that way since I was young. However, if I’m not interested in learning something, no matter what, I won’t let it happen. My mind just won’t accept it.”
Despite her willingness to learn, Taapsee admitted she lacked mentorship during her early years. “Nobody guided me. I never envisioned a career in this film industry,” she confessed. One of the most significant lessons she wished someone had shared with her early on was the importance of accepting failure. “I wish someone had told me it’s okay to fail. What’s not acceptable is to keep making the same mistakes or to constantly berate yourself.”
Taapsee Pannu discussed 'butchering herself' for feeling 'not good enough'
The Baby star talked about how profoundly she internalized her failures, often holding herself accountable for results that were not solely her responsibility. “You end up butchering yourself so much that you believe you’re not good enough. Every single day,” she remarked, adding that failures in filmmaking are seldom individual. “A failure isn’t just your fault. It’s a collective team effort, but the blame falls on you.”
Taapsee revealed how this ongoing self-criticism affected her mental well-being. She shared, “You’re constantly punishing yourself for the fact that you fell short in some way. I wish someone had told me that filmmaking doesn’t operate like that. You will move past it, and there will be another project for you—eventually.”
One of the most significant realizations for Taapsee came much later: confidence and self-acceptance are just as crucial as appearance. “I wish someone had told me that if you feel confident and beautiful and can embrace yourself, you can market yourself,” she said.
Taapsee Pannu on beauty insecurities
Addressing her long-standing beauty insecurities, she added, “I wish I didn’t feel like I don’t resemble the top divas, so why would anyone cast me as a heroine? But that’s not the only trait needed to be a heroine.” Taapsee recalled that when she began her career, she lacked even the most basic grooming skills. “I didn’t have a sense of fashion, makeup knowledge, or even an understanding of my best angles—nothing,” she admitted. Acquiring these skills took time, but what drained her was the mental pressure she imposed on herself during that period.
“I wish I hadn’t endured such hardship to learn all this in the initial years,” she said. “I eventually learned everything, but the amount of self-criticism I subjected myself to—it exhausted me mentally.”
The actress concluded by expressing a desire to have enjoyed the learning experience rather than punishing herself for her lack of knowledge. She said, “I wish I hadn’t felt that way and had simply relished the process of learning. That is one thing I truly hope someone had told me.”
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