Unconventional stories on the verge of extinction, says Taapsee Pannu

Actor Taapsee Pannu has voiced concern over the shrinking space for women-led and unconventional cinema, saying such films are slowly becoming an “extinct species” due to lack of audience support in theatres.

Known for balancing mainstream and offbeat roles, Pannu said the struggle to bring meaningful, rooted stories to the big screen has intensified in recent years. “There is a certain template that commercial cinema follows, and films like ours don’t always fit into that mould,” she said, referring to her upcoming film Assi .

Directed by Anubhav Sinha , Assi marks Pannu’s third collaboration with the filmmaker after Mulk and Thappad . The courtroom drama addresses the rising cases of sexual violence against women and features Pannu as public prosecutor Raavi. To prepare for the role, the actor spent time observing proceedings at Patiala House Court, an experience she said helped her strike a balance between emotional restraint and professional detachment.

Pannu also dismissed the belief that unconventional films will automatically find space on OTT platforms. According to her, streaming services are increasingly prioritising films that already perform well theatrically in order to attract mass audiences. She described the growing habit of waiting for digital releases as “suicidal” for the future of meaningful cinema, urging viewers to support diverse films in theatres rather than only from home.

Drawing an analogy, the actor compared commercial cinema to “Mughlai cuisine” and rooted films to “dal chawal”, saying the industry needs both to thrive. She added that audiences lose the right to complain about Indian cinema not matching global standards if they fail to support grounded storytelling when it releases in theatres.

Reflecting on her career, Pannu said headlining a film today feels like a constant battle, particularly for female actors. She noted that while the challenges increased after the COVID-19 pandemic, every success by a woman-led film opens doors for others. In that context, she described the success of Mardaani 3 , starring Rani Mukerji , as a collective victory for women in the industry.

Apart from Assi , which releases in theatres on February 20, Pannu has several projects lined up. She will be seen in upcoming films that continue her preference for strong, performance-driven roles, while also remaining part of select mainstream entertainers. Over the years, she has built a distinct space with films like Pink , Mulk and Thappad , often frontlining narratives centred on social issues and women’s perspectives.

Expressing cautious optimism, Pannu said she hopes audiences realise the importance of supporting all kinds of cinema before it is too late. “Only the audience can save these stories,” she said, adding that the survival of unconventional films ultimately rests on viewers choosing to show up at theatres.