Actor Taapsee Pannu admitted she was upset by the performance of her production venture “Dhak Dhak” and frustrated by the co-producers’ behavior.
Taapsee Pannu’s Journey as a Producer: Challenges and Triumphs
Renowned for her unconventional film choices and her willingness to traverse the road less taken, actor Taapsee Pannu stepped into the world of film production with director Ajay Bahl’s horror thriller Blurr (2022). This marked her debut as a producer and set the stage for her future ventures. Following the comparatively smaller project, Pannu embraced a bigger challenge in 2023 by bankrolling director Tarun Dudeja’s road adventure drama, Dhak Dhak.
What made Dhak Dhak particularly special was its all-female lead cast, featuring seasoned actors like Ratna Pathak Shah, Dia Mirza, Fatima Sana Shaikh, and Sanjana Sanghi. The project was a significant move towards promoting female-centric narratives in Indian cinema. Besides Pannu’s Outsiders Films, Dhak Dhak had BLM Pictures and Viacom18 Studios on board as co-producers, creating a strong team behind the scenes.
Despite the promising premise and strong performances, Dhak Dhak, which hit the screens in October 2023, struggled to attract viewers. The film’s underwhelming performance at the box office was a source of disappointment for Pannu. During her participation in the second edition of Expresso, a specially curated six-part series by The Indian Express, Pannu candidly discussed her feelings about the project.
Pannu admitted that the film’s poor performance was disheartening and that the behavior of some co-producers added to her frustration. She shared, “It was very heartbreaking. I did not become a producer to have an alternate career. I was doing pretty well as an actor. I could have sat quietly or I could have produced films that I act in, which would have been safer.”
Despite the setbacks, Pannu’s journey as a producer is a testament to her resilience and commitment to creating meaningful cinema. Her willingness to take risks and champion women-centric stories set her apart in the industry. While Dhak Dhak may not have achieved commercial success, it represents Pannu’s bold vision and her determination to make a difference in Indian cinema.
Taapsee Pannu on the Challenges of Producing Small Films
Actor Taapsee Pannu shared her insights on the challenges of producing films she isn’t actively part of, using her experience with Dhak Dhak as a case in point. “I wanted to produce films I’m not actively part of. Dhak Dhak was a step towards that. Certain commitments were made when signing the film, based on the market scenario at that time. However, it takes a lot of courage to stick to those commitments even when the market changes,” Pannu explained.
She highlighted the evolving nature of the film industry, likening it to a gambling business where market conditions can shift drastically over time. “Two years passed, and the situation changed. Now, it’s all about packaging and selling films. Studios started to bundle big films with small ones to get good prices and sell to OTT platforms. This means studios avoid the risk of recovery for small films without big names to draw in audiences,” she noted.
Pannu also pointed out the shifting strategies of OTT platforms. “OTTs have started saying they can’t take every film and don’t want to spend money on PR for every release. Small films with no stars are difficult to push in the market. OTTs now ask us to release the film in theatres first and then they’ll consider it for later OTT release,” she added.
Pannu’s candid remarks shed light on the complexities and uncertainties faced by producers of smaller, content-driven films in an industry increasingly focused on star power and marketable packages.
Taapsee Pannu on the Lack of Support from Co-Producers of Dhak Dhak
Taapsee Pannu revealed her frustration with the co-producers of Dhak Dhak, suggesting they didn’t fully support the film. She explained, “If it’s not a big-budget film, studios recover their money before it hits theatres. Once they’ve made their money, they just make a token release, unwilling to spend on Prints and Advertising (P&A). Exhibitors, seeing it’s not a mass-market film, question why they should spend on electricity and popcorn. So, we get odd showtimes and poor theatre placements, and then it’s abruptly removed midweek.
Pannu recounted her frustration during this period. “We started showing the film 4-5 days after the trailer release. People offered to help promote it, but I still didn’t have producers and co-producers standing by me, saying, ‘We did as much as we could, now let the audience decide.’ Instead, they said, ‘Why bother? It’s already made its money and will find its audience eventually.’”
Her candid remarks highlight the challenges faced by smaller films in an industry dominated by big-budget productions and star power, and the lack of commitment from co-producers can severely impact a film’s success.
Taapsee Pannu on Fighting for Dhak Dhak’s Success
Taapsee Pannu shared how she had to take a stand to ensure Dhak Dhak received the attention it deserved. Her efforts paid off, as the movie garnered some recognition. “Despite brilliant reviews, it was out of theatres in one week. Then it came on OTT around the same time as The Archies. I thought our film would get overshadowed,” she said.
However, to her surprise, Dhak Dhak defied the odds. “Despite my concerns, Dhak Dhak took over The Archies and became the #1 trending film on Netflix for 10 days straight, just 24 hours after its release,” Pannu revealed. This success highlighted the film’s quality and her determination to ensure it reached its audience.
Taapsee Pannu on the Support from Dhak Dhak’s Lead Women
“The four lead women stood by the film,” Taapsee Pannu shared. “Dia Mirza stepped in and provided space in her house for interviews with the cast. She invited journalists over for these interviews. I have never seen many actors take ownership of a film like that. I was so proud to be a part of that film.”
