Naam Shabana, starring Taapsee Pannu, is set to follow a recent list of Bollywood films with strong female protagonists, including Piku, Tanu Weds Manu Returns and Neerja. Taapsee in conversation about the film, and the lack of such characters in Tamil cinema:
What’s different about Naam Shabana?
I doubt there have been any films in Indian cinema about female spies. My character in Baby resulted in this spin-off. Also, just because it’s a female protagonist, we haven’t gone easy on the action sequences. It’s an action thriller, and there’s plenty of action, like in a James Bond film. Neeraj Pandey has put together many original stories into the film.
You reportedly underwent rigorous training for the action sequences.
I was trained in three forms of martial arts: Krav Maga, Aikido, and mixed martial arts. Most of the fight sequences involve hand-to-hand combat. The main issue I had was that I can’t hit anybody in real life. I’m a pacifist by nature. To overcome this was quite a challenge for me. Now though, I know a fair bit of self-defence; I urge other women to learn to protect themselves too.
This is the second time you’re acting with Akshay Kumar after Baby.
He’s done a special appearance in this film. I’m privileged to be playing the main role even though actors like Akshay Kumar, Manoj Bajpayee and Prithviraj are all part of the cast. Also, it’s a bit intimidating to do action sequences in a film that also has Akshay Kumar.
Though he’s known for his stunt sequences, he’s the calmest person I’ve ever met.
Is it true that Neeraj Pandey approached you for this film before Pink?
Yes. Neeraj didn’t worry about how successful I was in Bollywood. He’s a man of very few words, and sensible. He believed in me. That means a lot.
Why the long absence in Tamil cinema after Vai Raja Vai?
I got a few offers in Tamil, but couldn’t take them up due to date issues. I’ve done some Telugu films in the meantime; so there’s no reason for me not to do Tamil films. I definitely want to do at least one every year.
I am actively listening to scripts.
Why do you think these films aren’t really being made in Tamil cinema? Ask this to the fi lmmakers perhaps?
(Laughs) But yes, Bollywood is open to doing more women-centric fi lms. I never believed I’d be part of a project like Pink. Here, almost every top heroine does women-centric fi lms, including Deepika, Priyanka, Kangana, and Vidya Balan. If Tamil heroines insisted on such scripts, I think the trend will change.
How about doing an action film in Tamil?
Why not? However, I think the Tamil audiences know me as a girl-nextdoor. If I get the right script, I’m game.
Source: The New Indian Express