Taapsee Pannu Criticizes Bollywood’s ‘Star System’ Impact on Small-Budget Films

In a recent interview with ETimes, renowned Bollywood actor Taapsee Pannu candidly expressed her concerns about the prevalent ‘star system’ in the Indian film industry and its adverse effects on small-budget film projects. The actor, who recently debuted as a producer with the film ‘Dhak Dhak’, drew attention to the underlying hypocrisy within the industry, emphasizing how the presence of a ‘hero’ often takes precedence over the actual content of a film.

The ‘Star System’ Impact on Project Budgets Taapsee remarked, “This myth I had about people believing in ‘content is king’ was shattered while making this film. There’s so much hypocrisy. They will hear your one-line story and will be quick to ask, ‘Picture mein actor kaun hai (Who is the hero in the film)?’ That decides their financial and emotional investment in the project.” Her statement underscores the unfortunate reality that an individual’s stardom significantly influences the financial backing and marketability of a film, overshadowing the intrinsic value of its content.

Advocating for Change in the Industry Culture Expressing her concern about the detrimental impact of the prevailing star culture, Taapsee stressed the need for a fundamental shift in the industry’s approach. “It’s a cycle. Just because the studios recover their investment (by selling digital rights) for the smaller films, there’s minimal interest in packaging and releasing a film well,” she pointed out. She also emphasized that such practices hinder the industry’s growth and limit opportunities for emerging talents, thus widening the gap between established stars and aspiring actors.

Contemplating the promotional dynamics for ‘Dhak Dhak’ Recent reports about Taapsee Pannu distancing herself from the promotional activities of ‘Dhak Dhak’ surfaced, hinting at her dissatisfaction with the film’s marketing strategy. In response to these rumours, Taapsee commented, “I can’t say anything right now. I’m just waiting for the film, and audiences to see the labour of our hard work and love. I don’t want it to have a mark of any toxicity.”

‘Dhak Dhak’:

Empowering Narratives and Sisterhood The film ‘Dhak Dhak’ revolves around the story of four ordinary women from diverse backgrounds, who embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery and the exploration of sisterhood through a shared passion for biking. With stellar performances by Ratna Pathak Shah, Dia Mirza Rekhi, Fatima Sana Shaikh, and Sanjana Sanghi, the movie encapsulates the essence of empowerment and solidarity among women.

Taapsee Pannu’s unwavering stance on the prevailing ‘star system’ reflects the need for an industry-wide transformation, fostering a culture that embraces creativity and diverse narratives, and offers equal opportunities for talent to flourish. As ‘Dhak Dhak’ makes its mark in the world of cinema, it serves as a testament to the enduring spirit of women’s empowerment and camaraderie on the silver screen.

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