Following her film ‘Assi’s’ release, Taapsee Pannu voiced concerns about directors repeatedly casting the same actors. She revealed she tells filmmakers she’s open to non-leading roles and wants to explore lighter characters. Pannu questioned why directors stick to familiar faces, arguing it limits experimentation and prevents actors from offering fresh perspectives.

Taapsee Pannu‘s ‘Assi’ hit theaters last Friday, and the actress is receiving appreciation and love from the audience for her performance. However, the movie has received a lukewarm response at the box office. Amidst this, the actress questioned the casting choices of many top directors. Let’s learn what he has to say.

Taapsee Pannu reveals telling directors that she is okay not being a lead

In an interview with Galatta Plus, Taapsee Pannu opened up about directors casting the same actors for similar roles. She said, “It is difficult. Difficult, not for me but for people to imagine because we are so happy in our comfort zone of imagination. ‘Okay, this is this type of role, so this one will suit.’ Nobody wants to really think out of the box.”The actress shared that she has discussions with top directors of the industry whenever she meets them. Taapsee shared, “First, I have to break the notion that I am okay doing films where I am not leading the film. In the sense that it is not my story. Then I have to tell them that I would want to do something lighter. It is not that if I have to be there, it has to be an issue attached with it.”

Taapsee Pannu questions casting choices of directors

The actress went on to question the casting choices of the directors. She said, “Why would you want to take the same faces for the same roles? It is unfair to them as well. It is unfair to people like me who would want to experiment with their craft.”She expressed that if the directors brought the same kind of actors for similar roles, “Then they are only going to bring what they have brought to the table in some other film!”She concluded, saying, “But when I will probably do something like that, I will bring something new to the table.”

More about ‘Assi’

‘Assi’, directed by Anubhav Sinha, is a courtroom drama, which was released in theaters on February 20, 2026. The film also stars Revathi, Manoj Pahwa, Seema Pahwa, Kumud Mishra, Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, and Kani Kusruti in key roles. Naseeruddin Shah has made a special appearance in the film.