Mumbai, February 15 Actor Taapsee Pannu believes that films led by and featuring unconventional stories are on the verge of disappearing, as there is a lack of audience support for such stories.
Pannu, who has successfully balanced both mainstream and offbeat cinema, has established herself as a reliable performer, appearing in hard-hitting dramas such as "Thappad," "Mulk," and "Pink."
According to the actor, the effort to bring unconventional stories to the big screen has become more challenging.
"We are on the verge of becoming extinct, we mean films like 'Assi'. There is a certain template that our so-called commercial cinema follows, and we don't conventionally fit into that template," Pannu told
"Assi" is Pannu's new movie with acclaimed filmmaker Anubhav Sinha, and it is their third collaboration after "Mulk" (2018) and "Thappad" (2020).
The actor refuted the notion that such films will always find a home on digital platforms, saying that streaming services have shifted their focus to attracting "mass" audiences.
"The reality is that people think that these kinds of films will continue to be available on OTT, and we will continue to watch them. But no, streaming services don't want these kinds of films either. They have clear guidelines, that only the films that are successful in theaters are the films they want to pick."
"They want to bring that theater audience to their platform. They are saying, 'We already have this kind of audience, we want those mass-oriented audiences to subscribe to our platform'. That's why I say we are on the verge of extinction unless people realize that we need to watch these films." Pannu added.
Comparing cinema to a range of cuisines, the 38-year-old actor said that while "Mughlai" (commercial cinema) has its appeal, the industry also needs its "dal chawal" – stories rooted in everyday reality.
She also believes that waiting for a digital release of a film is "suicidal" for the future of meaningful cinema.
"We should support all kinds of cinema. Only the audience can help us by going to theaters and watching (all kinds of) films. I hope they realize this before we lose this. Then we won't have the right to complain that our cinema cannot compete with world cinema, we only make a particular kind of film."
"We have a lot of people telling us that we don't make good and grounded stories. But when did you support good stories? By sitting at home and watching it on OTT is not how you support good cinema. If you like the film, spread the word, and let more people come to the theaters."
Reflecting on her journey, Pannu said that leading a film to release today feels like a "daily struggle" and a constant "battle".
She believes that the situation changed after the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Victories are far less than the battles that actors like me go through. One is the battle to get a film released. With this film, because he (Sinha) was there, I didn't have to worry about a lot of things."
"There are scripts that I really like, but I need someone to believe that it's going to work, or that it's the right film to make. It's difficult for a female actor who is the lead in a film, no matter how many successful films you've made in the past," the actor added.
Pannu struck a hopeful note as she said the success of Rani Mukherji's "Mardaani 3" feels like a "victory" for women across the industry.
"Any other female actor's success helps me. So, that's why I'm celebrating the success of 'Mardaani 3' because I know it will open up opportunities for a lot of movies that are driven by female actors," she said.
The actor hopes that "Assi," which explores the growing cases of sexual violence against women, will be well-received in theaters.
"By virtue of being a woman, a lot of things (referring to her experiences) will come naturally, but on this, I had to work on not making it obvious that I'm emotionally invested, as I'm doing my job," Pannu said.
The courtroom thriller features the actor in the role of public prosecutor Raavi.
To prepare for her role, Pannu visited Patiala House Court to observe real-world legal proceedings, and she added that this exercise helped her to balance "professional detachment" with "emotional depth" that was required for her character.
"I didn't see a sexual assault case during my visit. I went with a group of lawyers and saw a female (public prosecutor), she was diligently reviewing files, and the lawyers told me that, 'She must be just studying the case now'.
"It's like how you are studying just before the exam, it's a kind of feeling. So, this was different from what we imagine in our heads. So, I started realizing, why I need to play it cold, at least for a while."
"Assi," which also stars Manoj Pahwa, Kumud Mishra, Kani Kusruti, Mohd Zeeshan Ayyub, Supriya Pathak, Revathi and Naseeruddin Shah, will be released in theaters on February 20.
