Taapsee Pannu, one of Bollywood’s leading actresses, has carved out a unique space for herself since her debut nearly a decade ago. Recently, she starred alongside Shah Rukh Khan in Dunki, directed by Rajkumar Hirani, which became a major box office success with worldwide earnings surpassing Rs 458 crore. Despite this success, Taapsee reveals she actually prefers working on women-centric films, like Haseen Dillruba and its sequel *Phir Aayi Haseen Dillruba*, which premiered on Netflix.
Why Haseena Dilruba over Dunki ?
In a recent interview, Taapsee shared her perspective on acting in big-budget films versus leading projects that center around female characters. She noted that many assume she earns more for movies like Dunki, but she clarified that women-led projects often pay her better. According to Taapsee, large productions assume that having a big male star is enough, leading them to undervalue the contributions of other cast members. “People think I do films like Dunki for money, but it’s actually the opposite. I get paid more for movies where I play the lead, like *Haseen Dillruba,*” she explained.
Taapsee also spoke about the challenges of securing roles in major films, where lead male actors often have a say in selecting their co-stars. She shared that only highly successful directors with their own dedicated audience can push for specific female leads. “Some actors choose actresses who are in trend or won’t overshadow them on screen. Others feel secure enough to work with strong female co-stars,” she observed, highlighting how casting dynamics are often influenced by personal insecurities or industry politics.
This favoritism isn’t limited to films—Taapsee added that male stars also influence casting choices for brand endorsements, which she finds frustrating. Reflecting on these barriers, she expressed how it fuels her determination to continue advocating for more balanced roles in the industry.
Taapsee’s latest project, *Khel Khel Mein*, a multi-starrer with Akshay Kumar, Fardeen Khan, and Vaani Kapoor, didn’t perform well, earning around Rs 57 crore worldwide. However, she is now set to star in *Gandhari*, a new collaboration with writer-producer Kanika Dhillon, known for crafting strong female characters in films like *Haseen Dillruba.*
