From Thappad to Stardom: How Taapsee Pannu Fought Her Way to the Top—And Isn’t Done Yet

Taapsee Pannu isn’t your usual Bollywood success story. She didn’t grow up dreaming of stardom or chasing producers around for roles. She began her journey as a software engineer in Delhi, doing modeling gigs on the side to earn extra money. But fate had different plans. Her sharp mind, fierce independence, and screen presence eventually pulled her into cinema — and she’s been rewriting the rules ever since.

Taapsee made her film debut in 2010 with the Telugu film Jhummandi Naadam. Her performances quickly caught attention in the South Indian film industries, with notable roles in Aadukalam (Tamil) and Mr. Perfect (Telugu). But her big break in Hindi cinema came in 2015 with Baby, where she played a small but powerful role as an undercover agent. What followed was a string of hard-hitting, performance-driven roles that proved she wasn’t here for the glam — she was here to act, and act well.

Her journey hasn’t been without its share of challenges. Taapsee has been vocal about pay disparity, sexism in the industry, and the pressure to look and behave a certain way. She’s refused to be typecast, and she doesn’t shy away from taking risks — whether it's choosing offbeat scripts or clapping back at trolls online. Off screen, she runs a wedding planning company and a badminton team, showing she’s as sharp in business as she is in front of the camera.

Let’s break down her most iconic films — and some juicy trivia behind them.

Pink

This courtroom drama with Amitabh Bachchan was a turning point. Taapsee played Minal, a woman fighting for justice after being assaulted. The film sparked national conversation about consent. What many don’t know: Taapsee didn’t meet Amitabh Bachchan until the shoot began. She once joked that acting in front of him without a single retake was her biggest pressure test.

Badla

A psychological thriller, again with Big B. Taapsee plays a murder suspect, and the film unfolds like a chess match. Rumors swirled that there was tension on set between her and Bachchan due to script changes, but she dismissed them with her trademark wit, saying, “If I can survive Pink, I can survive anything.”

Thappad

A powerful story about domestic abuse and societal conditioning. Taapsee’s role as Amrita, a woman who walks away from her marriage after a single slap, won her massive critical acclaim. Gossip mill? Some say she was offered double the money to do a commercial rom-com instead — but she chose Thappad purely for the message.

Manmarziyaan

This one showed her playful, impulsive side. Directed by Anurag Kashyap, it’s a love triangle with emotional chaos. Rumor alert: Her kissing scene with co-star Abhishek Bachchan created a bit of behind-the-scenes buzz, especially since parts of the film had to be trimmed post-release due to backlash.

Saand Ki Aankh

Taapsee played sharpshooter Prakashi Tomar, one of the world’s oldest women shooters, alongside Bhumi Pednekar. The makeup-heavy role drew criticism, with some questioning why younger actresses were cast instead of older ones. Taapsee clapped back: “If I can play a college student, why not a 60-year-old?”

Through hits and controversies, Taapsee Pannu has stayed unapologetically herself. Smart, fierce, and always a step ahead — she’s not just an actress, she’s a movement.

Dunki

Directed by Rajkumar Hirani with Shah Rukh Khan, Taapsee plays Manu, a Punjabi woman chasing a dream. The film emerged as her highest-grossing yet and earned her a Filmfare Best Actress nomination.Critics and audiences appreciated her natural performance, though some felt chemistry with Khan was lacking

Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba

The sequel to Haseen Dillruba sees her reprise Rani in a twisted romantic thriller involving betrayal, murder, and a new man played by Sunny Kaushal. Reviews noted her performance lifted the film even if the plot lagged.

Khel Khel Mein

A comedy‑drama with Akshay Kumar and Vaani Kapoor, shot in Udaipur and London. Critics liked it, but it underperformed at the box office. Later found a warm reception post-OTT on Netflix. Reddit gossip revealed Taapsee’s fee was about ₹1 crore, far lower than Kumar’s ₹60 crore.

Upcoming Projects to Watch

Gandhari

Taapsee wraps shooting on this Kanika Dhillon–Devashish Makhija action thriller, playing a mother on a revenge mission. She did her own stunts and called it the most physically demanding film of her career

Woh Ladki Hai Kahaan

An investigative comedy with Pratik Gandhi, still in early stages. No release date yet

Aitraaz 2 (Rumoured)

Subhash Ghai is reportedly developing a sequel to Aitraaz, and Taapsee is under consideration. No official announcement yet

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