Bollywood actress Taapsee Pannu has spoken out about the challenges she faces due to ageism in the Indian film industry. In a recent interview, she highlighted that age remains a significant barrier for female actors in Hindi cinema. Pannu shared that even after turning 30, she was told she was no longer 'young enough' for romantic comedy roles.
Pannu noted that when she entered Bollywood, she was in her mid-twenties but had to struggle for substantial roles in her first few years. Once she established herself, she faced a new problem: age discrimination. She said, 'By the time I established myself, I was over 30. Then they said you are no longer young enough for romantic-comedy films. Often, I feel that a younger actress is not needed for this role, but they still look for someone younger. This doesn't happen with male actors.'
She also mentioned experiencing similar issues in South Indian cinema, where younger actors were reluctant to work with her after she acted opposite established, older actors. Pannu questioned, 'Would anyone ever dare to say this to Shah Rukh Khan? After working with him, an actress's career can skyrocket. But in my case, there was an unwritten taboo in the South Indian industry.'
After facing numerous rejections and disappointments, Pannu decided to accept reality and choose roles that suited her age and preferences. Her latest film, 'Aeesi,' directed by Anubhav Sinha, saw her playing a lawyer fighting for justice for a rape victim. Despite critical acclaim, the film did not achieve expected box office success and is now available on streaming platforms.
