‘Star kids milk their advantage, we can rely on our strength’
Actor Taapsee Pannu has never shied away from talking about her tough journey in films — coming from southern cinema to Hindi film industry, and having zero connections or a “godfather” to guide her. As the nepotism debate rages on, she feels that it’s just an “added challenge” to the several others a newcomer faces in Bollywood. “But it will be wrong to say that one is not aware of it beforehand. And once you’re aware of the challenges, you make sure to develop the strength to deal with it,” says the 32-year-old.
The one thing Pannu can’t comprehend, however, is that when the children of actors use their advantage to its full extent, why don’t the outsiders do it, too, especially when the common man connects with them? “If star kids milk their advantage, I don’t understand why don’t we outsiders rely on our strength and use it to our advantage as well? We have the relatability factor with the audience. We’ve their support because they feel we are one of them,” says the actor, known for films such as Pink (2016) and Thappad. However, she adds that things won’t be as smooth. “The journey will be harder and longer, but every inch of success we achieve will be ours. No one can claim a stake in that. That’s a beautiful feeling in itself,” she asserts.
Having delivered critically acclaimed performances, Pannu is excited to “go through the hard test of nepotism to experience that high of selfmade story”. Reiterating that nepotism exists in most industries, including Bollywood, she adds, “No matter how many debates we have, it’s never going to go away. So, it’s better that we learn ways to deal with it, and that our audience and media becomes unbiased enough to give us an equal opportunity, and a chance to get their love and attention.”
Given the number of films that are going for a direct-to-OTT release owing to the Covid-19 crisis, theatre owners remain at loggerheads with producers. More so because cinemas have still not been given the nod by the government to reopen, which director Ken Ghosh thinks is a wise move.
“I don’t see why the theatre owners are upset. It is like ‘I’m drowning, so you’ve to drown with me’. It’s a very silly argument. We’re in a situation we can’t control. The theatres aren’t open and even if they do, I don’t know if people will feel comfortable to go out,” shares Ghosh.
The filmmaker feels that no matter how much people love movies, “I don’t think they want to risk their lives or of their loved ones by going to a theatre as yet.”
Lending full support to his friends who have decided to release their films on the web, he says he understands their decision was based on the current situation. “None of them said ‘Let’s make a film for digital’. They always wanted to make a big screen film. They had to adapt to the situation. But hopefully, next time this year, people will be back in theatres. Either we’ll have the immunity or the vaccine,” he says.
Ghosh reveals he shot half of his web series before the crisis and now will have to resume the shoot but with a major rejig to the script. “There are no big crowd scenes anymore. We also have to work with a team which is much smaller,” he adds.