Taapsee Pannu exposes Bollywood's 'Star System' impact on small-budget films

Taapsee Pannu, recently shared her thoughts on the impact of the 'star system' in Bollywood, particularly its influence on small-budget films. The talented actor, who made her debut as a producer with the just-released film "Dhak Dhak," shed light on the industry's hypocrisy in an interview with ETimes.

Taapsee emphasized that the notion of "content is king" in the film industry was challenged while making "Dhak Dhak." She revealed that during discussions about the film, people are often quick to inquire, "Picture mein actor kaun hai (Who is the hero in the film)?" before even hearing the story's premise. 

This query often determines their financial and emotional investment in the project. Taapsee, who has previously worked with first-time directors and newcomers, shared that she never asked about her co-star or the stature of the filmmakers when signing a movie. 

The actor expressed her belief that the 'star system' still prevails, despite the rise of OTT platforms. Taapsee's recent decision to distance herself from the promotions of "Dhak Dhak" made headlines, as she felt "used and bulldozed" by Viacom18 Studios' marketing strategy for the film, which was released on October 13.

For the unversed, "Dhak Dhak" tells the story of four ordinary women from diverse backgrounds who embark on a transformative bike ride, discovering not only themselves but also the profound essence of sisterhood along the way. 

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