Archive · 7 Sep 2026
Taapsee Pannu Says Contacts Limit Big-Scale Offers After Dunki
Taapsee Pannu acted in the large film Dunki with Shah Rukh Khan.
She hoped that film might lead to more big movies, but says that has not happened yet.
She thinks movie roles are often given based on an actor's popularity, contacts and visibility.
She says talent alone is not always the main factor.
Pannu believes many female roles in commercial movies can be played by different actresses.
She says director Rajkumar Hirani strongly wanted her for Dunki after watching her earlier work.
According to her, directors who support an unusual casting choice are rare.
Her newer film Gandhari is currently available on Netflix.
Taapsee Pannu says she has not been offered another film on Dunki's scale.
She believes market value, saleability, contacts, visibility, presence and influence often outweigh talent in commercial casting.
Pannu credits Rajkumar Hirani with firmly choosing her for Dunki after seeing her work.
She says mainstream female roles are often considered interchangeable, making unconventional casting choices uncommon.
Pannu's recent film Gandhari is streaming on Netflix.
- Who
- Actor Taapsee Pannu, director Rajkumar Hirani and, in the context of Dunki, Shah Rukh Khan.
- What
- Pannu discussed why she has not received more offers for films on the scale of Dunki.
- When
- The comments were reported on September 7, 2026; Dunki was released in 2023.
- Where
- Pannu made the comments in an exclusive interview with News18.
- Why
- She believes commercial casting often prioritizes market value, saleability, contacts, visibility, presence and influence over talent.
- Film discussed
- Dunki
- Dunki release
- 2023
- Director
- Rajkumar Hirani
- Dunki co-star
- Shah Rukh Khan
- Pannu's assessment
- She says she has not yet been offered another film of Dunki's scale.
- Casting factors cited
- Market, saleability, contacts, visibility, presence and influence
- Recent release
- Gandhari, streaming on Netflix