Actor Taapsee Pannu has spoken candidly about the ageism faced by women in the film industry, highlighting the unequal standards applied to male and female actors. In a recent interview, she reflected on how actresses often find their career opportunities narrowing as they age, while male stars continue to lead romantic and commercial films without facing similar scrutiny.
Taapsee revealed that after entering Bollywood in her mid-twenties, she spent several years trying to establish herself and secure meaningful roles. However, by the time she began gaining recognition, she had crossed the age of 30 and was often told she was no longer suitable for certain roles, particularly romantic comedies.
According to the actress, many filmmakers continue to prefer younger female leads even when a role does not specifically require one. She pointed out that such age-based limitations are rarely imposed on male actors, making ageism a persistent issue for women in the industry.
The actress also recalled facing similar challenges in the South film industry. She explained that after being cast opposite senior male stars, younger actors were often reluctant to work with her because of perceptions about her on-screen pairing history. Drawing a comparison, she noted that working alongside a superstar such as Shah Rukh Khan is often seen as a career milestone for actresses, whereas similar assumptions created barriers for her in the South.
Taapsee said that after years of dealing with professional setbacks and burnout, she chose to accept the realities of the industry and focus on roles she genuinely enjoys at her current stage of life.
The actress was last seen in the legal drama Assi, directed by Anubhav Sinha. The film, which revolves around a lawyer seeking justice for a rape survivor, received critical appreciation but failed to make a significant impact at the box office. It is currently streaming on ZEE5.
