“I Was a Minority”: Taapsee Pannu Recalls Isolation and Gender Bias on Early Film Sets

In a candid reflection on the evolution of the Indian film industry, actor Taapsee Pannu has opened up about the stark gender imbalance and discomfort she endured during the early stages of her career. Speaking at a session organized by WIF India and Kathha Pictures, the Dunki star revealed that her entry into cinema was marked by profound isolation, often finding herself as the only woman on set.

A Lone Figure in a Male-Dominated Space

Taapsee recounted that during the shoot of her debut film, the environment was vastly different from the more inclusive sets of today. With no personal staff and minimal support, she felt distinctly alienated.

“In my first film, I was the only female on the set, across the cast and crew,” she shared. “I was given a plastic chair, a typical set chair, in one corner. It felt like nobody would come and talk to me or sit with me.”

At the time, the young actor assumed this professional coldness was the industry standard. “Since it was my debut movie, I didn’t really have a staff. I just had a spot boy that was assigned by the producer… In my head, I thought this is how a set is and will always be.”

“Weird Situations” and Lack of Professionalism

The lack of female representation on set often led to uncomfortable and unprofessional encounters. Taapsee highlighted instances where male crew members displayed a lack of basic etiquette while she was performing. She recalled scenes requiring her to lie on the floor while a cameraman or focus puller hovered nearby, seemingly oblivious to how their behavior—such as being unhygienic or visually intrusive during intimate or vulnerable shots—could be jarring for an actor.

“It used to make me wonder, ‘Am I really such a minority here?’” she admitted.

Systemic Disparities

Beyond the atmosphere on set, Taapsee pointed to systemic inequalities in how male and female stars are treated behind the scenes. According to the actor, gender bias continues to dictate basic logistical arrangements.

She noted that actresses are frequently held to different standards than their male counterparts, particularly regarding call times. “We actresses are always called a few hours earlier, not just to the location, but even on set,” she explained. “Once the assistant sees that the heroine has arrived, that’s when the hero is called.”

She added that these discrepancies extend to comfort and status, noting, gender bias often results in unequal access to high-quality hotel rooms and transportation for female leads compared to their male co-stars.

Looking Ahead: ‘Gandhari’

While Taapsee remains vocal about the industry’s shortcomings, she continues to push boundaries with her project choices. She is currently gearing up for the release of her upcoming Netflix film, Gandhari.

Directed by Devashish Makhija and written by Kanika Dhillon, Gandhari is an intense revenge thriller that follows a mother fighting against a child trafficking network after a personal tragedy. Reuniting with Dhillon, the film also features Ishwak Singh, Chhaya Kadam, and Swastika Mukherjee. It is scheduled to premiere on Netflix on September 3, 2026, marking another bold step in the actor’s journey of championing female-led narratives.