Ideas Of India 2025: Taapsee Pannu Reacts To Kangana Ranaut's 'Sasti Copy' Tag With A Classy Comeback
Ideas of India 2025: Taapsee Pannu reflected on her journey, the battle between theatrical and OTT releases, and the changes she hopes to bring to the Hindi film industry.
Ideas of India 2025: Bollywood actor Taapsee Pannu reflected on her journey, the battle between theatrical and OTT releases, and the changes she hopes to bring to the industry at ABP Network’s Ideas of India Summit 2025. In the engaging session "Fearless and Feisty," moderated by Chitra Tripathi, Taapsee shared bold insights on "Telling Powerful Stories," making it a must-watch conversation.
Taapsee Pannu on Theatrical vs. OTT Releases
The actor shared her thoughts on the debate between theatrical and OTT releases and the factors that influence the decision. “When you watch a movie in a theater, it is called community viewing. Watching a film together in a group setting creates a unique experience. On the other hand, watching on OTT offers a different kind of viewing experience. I see it this way—some films should be made for theaters, where people watch together, while others are better suited for individual viewing at one’s convenience, making them ideal for OTT. Sometimes, a film feels risky because you’re unsure if it will work for community viewing. When a story or character is something new that hasn’t been explored before, OTT becomes a safe option to find an audience,” Taapsee explained.
Her Breakthrough in Bollywood
Taapsee Pannu, who started her Bollywood journey with limited screen time, has carved a niche for herself and emerged as a leading actor. She credits her breakthrough role in Baby for giving her career the boost it needed, opening doors to bigger opportunities. She said, “That’s why we released Haseen Dilruba on OTT—because Hindi pulp fiction hadn’t been seen in recent times. It found its audience, and that’s why the sequel happened, turning into a highly successful franchise. My journey started with Chashme Baddoor, followed by a seven-minute role in Baby. Acting is one of the most insecure professions—every actor wants more screen time, the best dialogues, and the most heroic scenes. I also had doubts about whether I would get a film like Naam Shabana after Baby.”
Taapsee on Her Dream Co-Star
When asked which actor she wants to work with next after sharing screen space with Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan, Taapsee chose not to name anyone. Instead, she said that she prefers not to be asked this question at all.
“My wish is that not just Taapsee Pannu, but no actress should have to rely on a hero’s name for their success. That is my ultimate goal. If, in the future, a heroine announces that she is working on a film, the first question shouldn’t be, “Who is the hero?”—but till today, that’s what I keep hearing,” she said.
Challenging Industry Norms
When asked about a pattern in Bollywood she’d like to change, Taapsee said she wants the "women-centric" label to stop impacting a film’s budget and release. She said, “I want to change the notion that if a film is women-centric, its budget should be lower. I’ve gotten used to hearing this, but the mindset that “it’s a female-led film, so it won’t work—just release it on OTT, don’t bring it to theatres, who will watch it?” needs to change. I hope this perception shifts because there are people who truly have the passion to make a difference.”
“Secondly, I want talent to be judged beyond social media. An actor should be evaluated based on their performance on screen, not by their number of followers. Casting decisions or brand endorsements shouldn’t be based on social media metrics but rather on the quality of work, the values they stand for, and their individual personality and strengths,” she added.
Taapsee Pannu vs Kangana Ranaut
After being labeled a "sasti copy" by Kangana Ranaut's sister Rangoli Chandel years ago, Taapsee Pannu refused to retaliate. Once again, she has taken the dignified route, stating that she was raised not to demean other women, no matter the provocation.
While recalling the feud with Ranaut and her comments the actor said, "Maybe I am "sasti" (cheap) because I don’t get paid as much as Kangana Ranaut. If being called a copy of such a talented actress is the case, I am okay with it. The kind of words you choose reflects your upbringing, and the way someone speaks shows their personality. I can never say such things about any woman who has carved her own journey."
Ideas of India 2025
As India approaches the 100th anniversary of its independence in 2047, the Ideas of India 2025 summit will celebrate the nation's extraordinary journey and its bright future ahead. Under the theme "Humanity's Next Frontier," the summit will explore India’s rising global influence and its pivotal role in shaping the future.
With a distinguished lineup of thought leaders, innovators, and change-makers, the event aims to ignite meaningful conversations, inspire new ideas, and set the stage for a prosperous tomorrow.
The Ideas of India Summit has an exceptional lineup of thought leaders, featuring influential political figures, acclaimed authors, scientists, business moguls, and artists. Key speakers include Congress MP Dr Shashi Tharoor, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, Ambassador Kurt Volker, Indian Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi, and Nobel Prize-winning biologist and former President of The Royal Society, Dr Venki Ramakrishnan.
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