“They Told Me Heroines Expire in 5–6 Years”: Taapsee Pannu Reveals the Brutal Advice She Got in Bollywood

From being warned against dating to being pushed to work only with big male stars, Taapsee recalls the outdated rules she was once asked to follow—and why she chose to unlearn them

Actor Taapsee Pannu, known for her outspoken views and refusal to follow Bollywood’s conventional playbook, has once again pulled back the curtain on the industry’s uncomfortable realities. In a recent interview, the actor reflected on the early phase of her career and the kind of advice she received from senior and “more experienced” people within the film fraternity—advice that, according to her, was deeply limiting and rooted in old-school thinking.

Taapsee revealed that when she was just starting out, she believed almost everything she was told. With no reason to doubt people who had been in the industry far longer than her, she accepted claims that actresses have a very short shelf life—often limited to five or six years. She was also repeatedly told that becoming an A-list heroine depended solely on acting opposite big male stars, regardless of the age gap or the importance of her role. The message was clear: the hero mattered, the heroine’s part did not.

The advice didn’t stop there. Taapsee shared that she was cautioned against being in romantic relationships, as dating could supposedly damage her “aspirational” image. According to what she was told, a heroine was only considered desirable if she appeared single and emotionally unavailable. She was also warned to stay away from negative or grey characters, as such roles could permanently brand her as a “vamp” and derail her chances of leading roles.

For a significant period, Taapsee followed this guidance, fearing that deviating from it would cost her a future as a leading actress. However, with time and experience, she began to question these rigid norms. Eventually, she chose to listen to her instincts rather than industry formulas. Looking back, she believes it is only in recent years that Bollywood has started acknowledging that glamour, success, and stardom don’t come in one fixed size or template.

Over the years, Taapsee has built a reputation for selecting strong, content-driven roles and challenging the idea that actresses must fit into narrowly defined boxes. Her filmography reflects that shift—from socially relevant dramas to female-led thrillers that place women at the center of the narrative rather than the sidelines.

On the professional front, Taapsee was last seen in Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba, which premiered on Netflix in 2024 and continued the dark, twisted love story that audiences had embraced earlier. She has multiple projects lined up, including the revenge drama Gandhari, slated for release on Netflix, and ongoing discussions around Haseen Dillruba 3, which has already sparked strong curiosity among fans.

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