Mumbai: Actor Taapsee Pannu has described herself as the ‘dark horse’ of Hindi cinema, reflecting on her career and the reception of her films as her latest release, Gandhari, continues to feature on Netflix’s Global Top 10 Non-English Films chart for the third consecutive week.
The actor said she has often surprised audiences and industry observers with the performance of her films, despite not always being associated with the most anticipated releases. While she admitted that repeatedly proving herself can sometimes be disappointing, she also described the position as an achievement.
Taapsee Pannu on being Hindi cinema’s ‘dark horse’
Speaking about the response to Gandhari, Taapsee explained that her films have frequently exceeded expectations, even when they were not widely considered among the most anticipated projects before their release.
“I call myself the dark horse because no one really believes that I can do it or what I will end up doing. It’s not like when Gandhari was coming, anyone expected it to be among the top five most anticipated films of the year,” she said.
The actor added that this pattern has continued throughout her career, citing films such as Pink and Thappad as examples of projects that generated attention through their performances and subject matter.
“This has happened with me in every movie, be it Thappad, Pink, or any of my films. I have never been a part of the most anticipated films to be watched,” she said.
Taapsee acknowledged that she does not enjoy the same pre-release expectations that surround some of the biggest female stars in Hindi cinema. According to her, audiences do not always anticipate her films in the same way, but the eventual response has often helped her establish her position.
“I will never be like these top three biggest female stars, where when a film of yours comes, people believe that it’s worth their time to watch it. I have always been the dark horse because eventually I deliver,” she said.
‘At times, I feel bad that I have to prove myself’
While Taapsee has embraced the label, she admitted that the need to repeatedly demonstrate her capabilities can be frustrating.
“At times, I feel bad that I have to prove myself so many times. But I am happy being the dark horse. It is also quite an achievement,” she added.
Her remarks reflect the distinction between the expectations surrounding a film before its release and the response it receives once audiences have watched it. For Taapsee, the experience of exceeding expectations has become a recurring feature of her career.
Rather than viewing the absence of early anticipation as a disadvantage alone, the actor appears to regard it as an opportunity to let her work speak for itself. Her comments also underline the importance she places on the eventual reception of her projects rather than their initial position in the industry’s pre-release conversation.
Gandhari adds an action role to her filmography
With Gandhari, Taapsee has taken on a role that places considerable emphasis on physical performance and action. The film has drawn attention to the demanding nature of its action sequences, including the actor’s work on physically challenging portions.
The project marks another dimension in her screen career, which has included performances in films addressing social issues, relationships and individual agency. In Pink, Taapsee was part of a courtroom drama that explored consent and women’s autonomy, while Thappad examined the consequences of domestic violence and the importance of self-respect.
These films helped establish her association with stories that place women and their experiences at the centre of the narrative. Gandhari, meanwhile, gives her an opportunity to explore a more action-oriented role.
The film’s continued presence on Netflix’s Global Top 10 Non-English Films chart for three consecutive weeks has also extended its reach beyond Indian audiences. Its international viewership provides the backdrop to Taapsee’s latest comments about a career in which she believes projects have repeatedly delivered results beyond initial expectations.
As Gandhari continues to find viewers across different markets, Taapsee’s remarks offer insight into how she views her standing in Hindi cinema. Despite acknowledging the disappointment of having to prove herself repeatedly, she remains comfortable with the ‘dark horse’ identity and sees it as a meaningful part of her professional journey.