Taapsee Pannu On Saand Ki Aankh Releasing On Diwali: “A Bold & Progressive Move”

Actress Taapsee Pannu, one of the two leading ladies of the heroine-centric Saand Ki Aankh, says releasing the film, about India’s oldest sharpshooters, on Diwali marks a bold and progressive change in the business of cinema, because the festive weekend has predominantly been ruled by Bollywood’s male superstars.

“Female-led films are doing great these days because the audience has responded positively to that kind of cinema. But this (‘Saand Ki Aankh’) is the story of two elderly women (sharpshooters Chandro and Prakashi Tomar). This has rarely happened on a Diwali, which is mainly dominated by Bollywood’s male stars. It is a strong move by the producers to release a film like ‘Saand Ki Aankh’ on Diwali. This is a bold and progressive move,” Taapsee spoke to IANS at the ongoing 21st Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival with Star, where “Saand Ki Aankh” will be the closing film before its theatrical release on October 25.

“The film is releasing on one of the biggest dates of the year, and a Diwali release has to cater to the audience. Although the lines are blurring and the audience is celebrating all kinds of cinema, Diwali is a festival and we have to give something to our audience that sets the mood of festivity. Our film has the potential to cater to the audience that way,” she added.

On screening “Saand Ki Aankh” for critics at a film festival like MAMI, she said: “As an actress, I am always excited to show my film to the critics and the audience. I am fortunate that most of the time critics have loved my work.”

This year at the Jio MAMI festival, the actress heads the jury of the competition section ‘Dimensions Mumbai’. Other members of the jury include writer Kanika Dhillon, actor Avinash Tiwary, and filmmakers like Karan Anshuman and Rishi Chandna.