Actor Taapsee Pannu has spoken openly about the self-doubt she struggled with during the early phase of her career. In an interview with Times Now News, she reflected on how hard she was on herself while trying to learn the many demands of the profession, admitting that the pressure she put on herself took a serious mental toll.
Taapsee on early insecurities
Looking back, Taapsee said she constantly questioned whether she even belonged in the industry. She shared that she often compared herself to conventional film stars and felt insecure about her appearance. At the time, she believed that not fitting the image of a traditional diva meant she would never be seen as heroine material. She also admitted that she lacked basic knowledge about fashion, makeup, and even understanding her own best angles, which only added to her uncertainty.
The mental impact of pushing herself too hard
Taapsee said she now wishes someone had encouraged her to slow down and trust the learning process. She explained that while she eventually picked up all the skills she needed, the relentless self-criticism she subjected herself to in those initial years left her emotionally exhausted. Instead of enjoying the journey, she said she was constantly punishing herself for not being good enough, and hopes that young actors today allow themselves the space to grow without being so harsh on themselves.
Taking the blame for professional setbacks
The actor also spoke about how she internalised failure early in her career. She recalled blaming herself entirely whenever things did not work out, repeatedly telling herself that she had fallen short. Over time, she realised that success or failure in films is rarely the responsibility of one person alone. She pointed out that filmmaking is a collective effort, even though actors often carry the burden of blame when projects do not perform as expected.
What’s next for Taapsee
Taapsee will next be seen in Gandhari, a revenge drama directed by Devashish Makhija. The film is backed by Kanika Dhillon’s Katha Pictures and is set to premiere on Netflix. She was last seen in Mudassar Aziz’s Khel Khel Mein, which also featured Akshay Kumar, Vaani Kapoor, Ammy Virk, Aditya Seal, Pragya Jaiswal, and Fardeen Khan.
