Actor Taapsee Pannu has long been one of the few voices in Bollywood willing to openly discuss issues that many would rather avoid. From speaking out about pay inequality to denouncing sexism in the film industry, she has consistently challenged industry norms.
Now, the actress has highlighted another issue that she believes still affects women in cinema: ageism.In a recent conversation with Times Entertainment, Taapsee spoke about the limited actresses who often have to prove their presence in Hindi films before they are judged on the basis of age. According to her, the struggle to secure meaningful roles often overlaps with the industry’s obsession with youth.“I entered the Hindi film industry when I was in my mid-20s, okay? Now, for three or four years, you are struggling to get a decent role. By the time you make a mark, you are over 30. Then they say you are not young enough to appear in a rom-com.”The actor pointed out that even when age has little significance for a character, younger actresses are often preferred. She believes male actors rarely face the same scrutiny.
“So, even now, there are so many times where I feel like I don’t really need someone younger to play this role.” However, they still want to become younger. It doesn’t really happen the same way with men. Of course, we can all see that. But yes, ageism is a big thing.”Taapsee also spoke about her experiences in the South Indian film industry, where she faced another form of prejudice related to the age and status of her co-stars.
She revealed that working opposite older actors often affects how younger actors look at her.“Even in the South, this used to happen to me. The moment I was cast opposite a relatively senior actor, the younger actors didn’t want to work with me. They would say, ‘Oh no, she was the opposite of that actor, so now…’ You dare say that about Shah Rukh Khan. You know, an actress’s life changes after working with Shah Rukh Khan. So this taboo is not here, but this taboo was there for me when I worked in the South.”The actor suggested that such double standards continue to shape women’s professional lives in ways that their male counterparts rarely experience.Separately, Taapsee also spoke about body image and fitness, warned against over-exercising and highlighted how the body changes over time. “So instead of actually losing water retention, the body starts retaining it and then fat in the lower abdomen, which may not actually just be fat, but it’s also water retention, and it stays, and is increased by over-exercise, which I really think people shouldn’t be doing.”On the professional front, Taapsee is gearing up for the release of the film Gandharia Netflix original film directed by Devashish Makhija and penned by Kanika Dhillon. She was last seen in Anubhav Sinha’s film ‘Asi’.
