Taapsee Pannu completes 10 years in Bollywood: She’s a RARE actor who has achieved COMMENDABLE box office success with her HATKE choices; all set to deliver her first BLOCKBUSTER with Dunki

By Fenil Seta -

April 5, 2023 - 11:58 AM IST

10 years ago, Chashme Baddoor (2013) was released on this very day. The audiences majorly went to see it due to the association of David Dhawan as a director and to witness Ali Zafar, Divyenndu, Siddharth and Rishi Kapoor's comic timing. Taapsee Pannu, the lead actress, was an unknown face in the Hindi-speaking markets and not many had any expectations from her. However, the way she maintained a strong position for herself among these talented actors, was quite appreciated. In no time, she became a household name thanks to the success of this film.

Taapsee Pannu completes 10 years in Bollywood: She’s a RARE actor who has achieved COMMENDABLE box office success with her HATKE choices; all set to deliver her first BLOCKBUSTER with Dunki

Today, Taapsee Pannu also completes 10 years in Bollywood and her journey has been one of a kind. After Chashme Baddoor, the actress didn’t take advantage of her newfound fame and signed films left, right and centre. Instead, she signed for a 10-minute role in Akshay Kumar-starrer Baby (2015). I am sure many would have advised her against doing so. But the risk paid off. Her action scene with Sushant Singh is still vividly remembered. The character became so popular that the makers made a spin-off film, Naam Shabana (2017), based on her character. This happened much before the YRF Spy Universe and Rohit Shetty’s Cop Universe were even thought of!

After Baby, she was seen in another hard-hitting film, Pink (2016). It has achieved cult status for its plot, courtroom scenes and of course, exceptional performances by the cast, including Taapsee. Pink was also a hit, collecting a huge Rs. 65.39 crores and it motivated her to follow her heart. It resulted in more hatke films like Mulk (2018), Game Over (2019), Badla (2019), Saand Ki Aankh (2019) and Thappad (2020). At the same time, she also dabbled in commercial films like Running Shaadi (2017), Judwaa 2 (2017), Dil Juunglee (2018), Mission Mangal (2019) etc.

Till date, Taapsee Pannu has had 18 theatrical releases in Bollywood out of which 10 films were either super-hit, hit, semi-hit or average. While Mission Mangal was a super-hit, Chashme Baddoor and Badla were hits and Baby, Pink and Judwaa 2 were semi-hits. The Ghazi Attack (2017), Naam Shabana, Mulk and Thappad were average grossers. Thappad’s run was shortened due to the shutdown of theatres during the first wave of Covid-19. Had that not happened, it would have been the fourth semi-hit film for the actress.

In the pandemic era, Taapsee Pannu was seen in as many as five digital films – Haseen Dillruba (2021), Rashmi Rocket (2021), Looop Lapeta (2022), Tadka (2022) and Blurr (2022). Out of these, Haseen Dillruba stands out for its insane viewership. Hence, it’s no surprise that the makers announced its sequel, Phir Aayi Haseen Dillruba.

On the flipside, Taapsee Pannu also faces her share of challenges. Though she gave so many hits, she has also delivered as many as 8 flops. Her last two theatrical releases - Shabaash Mithu (2022) and Do Baaraa (2022) had very poor collections. Notwithstanding the box office fate, her performances in these films didn’t move the audiences the way it was intended to.

Thankfully, all is not lost. Her pre-pandemic track record is still remembered as it’s unique. Very rarely does an actor make such unconventional choices and it leads to success at the ticket window. Moreover, audiences admire her, especially the womenfolk. She is respected for the fact that she’s known for her work and nothing else. Her decision to start a production house and name it Outsiders Films has been well respected. She made a huge statement by doing so and at the same time, she neither antagonized anyone nor went into anti-nepotism rhetoric. Her choice of brand endorsements reflects how she cares for the aam aadmi. All the products she endorses are affordable and something that the common man can purchase. Also, while she doesn’t like to talk about it, her social work and association with organizations like Nanhi Kali, Hemkunt Foundation etc. are commendable. Hence, many girls and women look up to her and this factor will go a long way in keeping her popularity intact.

Taapsee Pannu’s next films, besides Phir Aayi Haseen Dillruba, are Woh Ladki Hai Kahaan. Co-starring Pratik Gandhi, this film will see her as a cop and in an out-and-out comedy avatar, a first for her. And of course, she also has Dunki in her kitty. It stars Shah Rukh Khan and is directed by Rajkumar Hirani. The latter is known as the blockbuster machine while SRK is on a high after the super-success of Pathaan (2023). Hence, the expectations for it are sky-high. For Taapsee, this could be her first blockbuster and her first Rs. 300 crores film.

To conclude here’s hoping Taapsee Pannu continues her dream run and chooses the correct and most impactful scripts, across genres. It’ll be interesting to see what she has to offer to the audiences for the next 10 years. If she continues to listen to her heart, then be prepared to be amazed by her performances and box office track record!

Also Read: Taapsee Pannu gets accused of hurting religious sentiments; leader files complaint against the actress