‘I find Bengaluru’s vibe very laidback’: Taapsee

After acting in four Bollywood films this year, Taapsee Pannu featured in her career’s first love story with ‘Manmarziyan. In a candid chat with Metrolife, the actor talks about her experience of working with Anurag Kashyap and why she has not acted in a Kannada movie yet.

Manmarziyan is your first film with Anurag Kashyap. How was the experience?

I think this was one of the most liberating experiences. I love to bully the people with whom I share a comfort level and Anurag Kashyap was my first choice in bullying. So we were like Tom and Jerry -- each other’s biggest critics and biggest bullies. When I was approached for this film, he was so sure that I am Rumi (my character). In a way, I felt nice that a director of his calibre believes in me so much, without seeing my work. On the other hand, I was nervous that he has worked with the best of actors. He made life so easy for me. He said you do whatever you want in front of the camera, I just want you to be yourself. Usually, they give the dates and we decide based on our availability but here he asked me when I would like to shoot. He has two actors in his film but he said he will figure out the guys according to the dates I would give. He said now that he has me in a place he would cast the other two actors according to me because the love story is from the girl’s perspective. He’s a great director but I love him so much more as a human being.

How is the film different from the other love stories?

All triangle love stories in the world are the same. What is different is the treatment. The definition of love and the way you pursue it changes every two to three years. So this is 2018’s love story which all of us are going to feel a part of. This is real and is told from a girl’s point of you.

What do you consider as the turning point in your career?

After entering Hindi films ‘Baby’ got me attention but ‘Pink’ changed the game for me. I never wanted to be playing a frivolous, no-brainer kind of a person. It doesn’t mean that I will not do a comedy genre or any other genre but whatever I do, I wanted to present an average Indian girl with her point of view.

Any plans to act in Kannada?

It was not like I did not get good offers in Kannada. I got some brilliant offers but in the beginning I did not take them because I wanted to learn the language I was working in. I am open to working in Kannada.

Any fond memories of Bengaluru...

I have never shot here for any language and I have only visited for events and promotions. Coming here from Mumbai is a refreshing change because I find Bengaluru’s vibe very laidback.

It is such a mad rush there. But when you come here you just like to put your feet up and chill. I am a Delhi girl and I am used to a very chilled out laid back life but Mumbai has made me a psycho woman.