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I’m Not a Heroine in My Own Story, I’m the Hero: Taapsee Pannu

Taapsee Pannu believes in taking charge and fighting back, be it failures or sexual harassment. What a boss!

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We haven’t forgotten Taapsee Pannu’s strong performance in Pink and we can’t wait for her Naam Shaban act with Akshay Kumar. But here’s the part that really matters. She’s a badass in real life too. Humans of Bombay recently shared a quote from the actress, which is a detailed account of how she’s always taken matters in her own hands, be it about her career or her safety.

Taapsee told Humans of Bombay that in her early days, she was considered to be a flop actor who also brought bad luck to films. Producers and directors treated her badly and she barely even got the bare minimum pay an actor deserves. More recently, when a man tried to touch her inappropriately in a crowd in Delhi, she made sure she gives it back to him.

“I got into modelling during my college days, just to make some extra pocket money. I had scored 88% in my CAT exams and was enroute to pursuing my MBA when I got an offer for a film — it happened as organically as that. There after, three of the films I worked in didn’t work and I got the label of ‘iron leg’ — I was ‘rumoured’ to bring bad luck to films. Mind you, all of these films had huge male co-stars and directors, but the failure of movies was blamed upon my bad luck. Thereafter, I’ve been asked to reduce my pay, I’ve been thrown out of films because the producer was having financial issues. This was all before I did the movie Pink, but believe it or not even after that there’s stigma I’ve had to deal with. Actors have refused to work with me in Bollywood, because I’m not an ‘A list actress’. Producers have finalised me, locked my dates and then randomly backed out at the last minute because they got a bigger name. Expecting equal pay is far off, even the basic amount is something I have to fight for— but I’m not complaining. I’m here because I love acting — I may not be the most glamorous, or have the perfect body but I believe in my art. I don’t like indulging in self pity…I enjoy being strong and independent. Just a few weeks ago, I was going to a Keertan in Delhi where in the middle of the crowd I felt a guy trying to poke me from behind. I didn’t even turn to look at him, I grabbed his finger and twisted it so hard that he winced in pain. Truth is, I’m less heroine and more the ‘hero’ in my story and for some that’s a bitter pill to swallow, but then that’s tough…because I’m not going anywhere.”

A post shared by Humans of Bombay (@officialhumansofbombay) on

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The Pink actress boldly says that she’s the hero in her own story.

I got into modelling during my college days, just to make some extra pocket money. I had scored 88% in my CAT exams and was en route to pursuing my MBA when I got an offer for a film — it happened as organically as that. There after, three of the films I worked in didn’t work and I got the label of ‘iron leg’ — I was ‘rumoured’ to bring bad luck to films. Mind you, all of these films had huge male co-stars and directors, but the failure of movies was blamed upon my bad luck. Thereafter, I’ve been asked to reduce my pay, I’ve been thrown out of films because the producer was having financial issues. This was all before I did the movie Pink, but believe it or not, even after that there’s stigma I’ve had to deal with. Actors have refused to work with me in Bollywood, because I’m not an ‘A list actress’. Producers have finalised me, locked my dates and then randomly backed out at the last minute, because they got a bigger name. Expecting equal pay is far off, even the basic amount is something I have to fight for— but I’m not complaining. I’m here because I love acting — I may not be the most glamorous, or have the perfect body, but I believe in my art. I don’t like indulging in self pity…I enjoy being strong and independent. Just a few weeks ago, I was going to a keertan in Delhi, where in the middle of the crowd, I felt a guy trying to poke me from behind. I didn’t even turn to look at him, I grabbed his finger and twisted it so hard that he winced in pain. Truth is, I’m less the heroine and more the ‘hero’ in my story and for some that’s a bitter pill to swallow, but then that’s tough…because I’m not going anywhere.
Taapsee Pannu, Actor

Taapsee’s story is one that not only inspires every woman, but also every man.

(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)

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Topics:  Sexual Harassment   Akshay Kumar   Pink 

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