Taapsee Pannu: I will give myself and my personal growth as much time as I give my work

For the past 13 years, Taapsee Pannu has proved her acting chops with a host of challenging roles, one better than the other. She owns the room she walks into, plays her characters with honesty, and is her true self, always. No wonder then that brands who celebrate originality and inclusivity want her to be their brand ambassador. Case in point: Vogue Eyewear, which roped in Pannu for their anniversary campaign—‘Let's Vogue like Superstars’—playful and high on style: qualities that Pannu perfectly embodies. 

The actor, in an exclusive interview with Harper’s Bazaar India, talks about how we’re superstars in our everyday lives, what being original has taught her, working with Shah Rukh Khan in her upcoming film Dunki, and a lot more. 

Harper’s Bazaar: Vogue Eyewear's new campaign encourages everyone to believe in themselves and take pride in their originality. How is it going to make people more confident?

Taapsee Pannu: Vogue Eyewear has always stood up for and celebrated inclusivity, originality, and authenticity. I am thrilled to be a part of the brand’s 50th-anniversary campaign which encourages people to believe in themselves and be proud of their individuality. It reinforces the brand’s core values by echoing the audience's true thoughts and feelings. The campaign also aims to uplift spirits and make us believe that no matter what, we are superstars in our everyday lives. It's a belief I resonate with.

HB: The campaign reinforces the brand’s ethos of self-belief, self-trust and self-confidence. Anyone who’s followed your career can vouch that these three attributes are your best qualities. Where do you get this inner strength from?

TP: My two pillars of strength are my nutritionist, Munmum Ganeriwal and Sujeet Kargutkar, my trainer. They have had more confidence in me than I had in myself. They have always encouraged me to keep going and trust my capabilities.

HB: What has being original and inclusive taught you?

TP: Over the last 13 years of my work life, I have realised that being original and non-competitive has always brought out my best. You need to accept yourself and your uniqueness and then start seeing others with the same, non-judgmental lens.

HB: In 2022 you worked in six films and you have four films lined up for 2023. Does the grind get the better of you?

TP: Yes, it does, but it wasn’t designed to be like that. Unfortunately, Covid changed all timelines for my films. I have decided that in 2023, I will give myself and my personal growth as much time as I give my work.

HB: What is the one constant in every Taapsee film?

TP: I always make sure that my films challenge prevalent perspectives and make you question the norm or what meets the eye. 

HB: How’s it been being part of Dunki and working with Shah Rukh Khan and Rajkumar Hirani? What can one expect from it?

TP: The feeling has been equivalent to hitting a jackpot; the only difference is, this jackpot is the result of 10 years of hard work and luck. Being on set with them is like being admitted to the best and biggest university of film education, and I’m making sure every day counts.