Taapsee Pannu recently shared her thoughts on the difficulties actors encounter when expressing political opinions. In an interview, she discussed why many in the film industry prefer to remain silent on political matters, even when they hold strong personal beliefs.
“We have our own kind of politics. It doesn’t always have to be connected to a specific type of politics,” Taapsee began, noting that the choice to speak up or stay silent is often driven by the fear of backlash. “People choose to stay quiet because they fear that speaking out might lead to problems.”
Known for her candidness on issues like nepotism, Taapsee acknowledged that actors are frequently scrutinized, with their every word closely examined. She highlighted the widespread belief—especially concerning female actors—that they lack intelligence or awareness about social and political issues.
“Actors are often perceived as having low IQ, and people assume they hardly know anything, particularly if the actor is a woman. Then they think, how dare you have an opinion,” Taapsee remarked, addressing the stereotype that actors face. This perception, she explained, is a significant reason why many opt to keep their thoughts to themselves, fearing judgment or controversy.
However, Taapsee also pointed out the paradox that this situation creates for actors. “It’s a double-edged sword, I feel. If you have an opinion, it’s a problem. If you don’t have an opinion, it’s still a problem,” she said, emphasizing the no-win situation that actors often find themselves in. Whether they choose to speak out or remain silent, criticism is almost inevitable.
Despite these challenges, Taapsee remains one of the few voices in Bollywood that are not scared to speak their minds on important issues.
