When you are killing it at everything you are doing and just being a total badass, time sure does fly, no? It’s been 8 years of the powerhouse performer, Taapsee Pannu! The actress started out with an engineering degree, and went on to do a few modelling projects before she actually got her first break with the Telugu project, ‘Jhummandi Naadam‘ in 2010 and later acted in the 2011 Tamil film, ‘Aadukalam’. Her Hindi debut was with David Dhawan‘s 2013 comedy-drama, Chashme Baddoor. Ever since then, there has been no turning back for the actress who has gone ahead and given us some absolutely powerful and memorable performances — breaking one mould at a time.
We are sure there are many more, but here’s celebrating 8 times the actress won us over with her amazing performances:
Pink
This is the film that gave us the Taapsee we know of today off-screen as well — bold, fierce, independent and not afraid to stand up for herself and other women around her. She starred opposite the legendary Amitabh Bachchan and managed to hold her ground and shine through with her performance in this court-room drama which resonated a very important message in today’s time — that no means no. Period.
Badla
A film that she shouldered quite brilliantly, Taapsee starred alongside Big B in this too, and might I say, I watched the film for her and was hooked to her performance in the film, which will keep you guessing till the end.
Saand Ki Aankh
Saand Ki Aankh was a film that Taapsee pushed the envelope with. She and Bhumi Pednekar played the roles of sharp shooter dadis in their 60s who navigate and challenge the patriarchy around them by following their passion and winning big. Playing elderly women and with such conviction, both Taapsee and Bhumi brought this story about Chando and Prakashi Tomar to life and got to say, loved their camaraderie and their lovely friendship off-screen. Proving that two amazingly talented actresses can work together, kicking stupid and age-old conventions about catfights out of the window. You go, girls!
Manmarziyaan
Manmarziyaan is a love story that is not your quintessential boy meets girl story. It’s complicated, messy, confusing and heartfelt – but isn’t that how love really is most times? Taapsee plays the character Rumi with such conviction, you are drawn to her story and all the ups and downs her heart goes through. P.S: She looked oh-so-good with both Vicky Kaushal and Abhishek Bachchan, didn’t she?
Mulk
Mulk is again, a court-room drama that tackles another very sensitive and important issue, like Pink. Taapsee here takes on the role of the lawyer and raises her voice against the atrocities that her husband’s family has to go through only because of religious prejudices and the mistakes of one, irresponsible relative. The high-intensity drama is something Taapsee does with such ease, no? Also, there’s something about how she just adds so much gravitas and warmth to her dynamic with the late veteran actor, Rishi Kapoor.
Game Over
Thrillers are not an easy genre to crack, and trust Taapsee to pick one that is so unique and interesting! Game Over is a film about a game designer who suffers from PTSD and nyctophobia — the fear of night or darkness. She lives alone with her maid, until a serial killer enters her house, making her play a twisted game in order to survive. Taapsee absolutely owns every scene in this dark, psychological thriller that forces her to connect with her inner demons.
Naam Shabana
When Taapsee made a cameo appearance in the 2015 film, Baby, she kicked ass (literally) and wowed us all. So of course, she deserved a whole film only for how her character, Shabana, became who she is. Strong, powerful, and intense, who says women and action/spy dramas don’t go together, no?
Thappad
Last, but definitely not the least, Thappad came out last year and had us all fall in love with Taapsee! She plays a loving, unsuspecting wife in the film, who gets thrown off when her husband suddenly slaps her one night — making her question all that she, and so many women, are subjected to each day and are made to accept as normal. The film was a huge shoutout to every woman whose voice and basic rights was suppressed thanks to patriarchy and for their baby steps in breaking those moulds. She even won an award for her performance and might I say, no one but Taapsee deserved it more!
While her films do voice out on important issues in society, her Twitter is not so far behind. Taapsee is not one who is afraid to speak up and makes sure she uses her voice and platform for speaking about the things that matter — be it issues faced by women, societal issues and more, and we love her for it!
You might think that was one absolutely rocking set of films that Taapsee has given us. But guess what? It only gets better from here on. She has some amazing films like Shabhash Mithu, Haseen Dilruba, Loop Lapeta, Rashmi Rocket and Dobaaraa in the pipeline. From playing a cricketer and a sprinter and much more, looks like Taapsee has some absolutely kick-ass, strong and amazing female characters up her sleeve and I sure cannot wait to watch her weave her magic in the times to come!