In a candid conversation with news agency ANI, Bollywood actress Taapsee Pannu delved into the tumultuous period of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, recounting the harrowing experiences her family underwent during the unrest. Though Taapsee was not born at the time and her parents tied the knot only in 1986, her father’s ordeal during the riots has left an indelible mark on their memories.
Taapsee Pannu, who has established herself in Bollywood through sheer determination and hard work, took a moment to share her family’s story during those dark times. “My parents got married in ’86. So this was before that. And they were thankfully in a better situation compared to many others who went through severe hardships. My mom didn’t see the riots as she was in the Yamuna Paar area of Delhi, but my dad was in Shakti Nagar, where he witnessed a lot of the violence. They burned the car. However, it wasn’t as severe as losing everything like many other families experienced. We were one of the fortunate ones who didn’t get adversely affected to that extent,” she revealed.
The ‘Rashmi Rocket’ star elaborated that while her father witnessed such extreme violence up close, her parents chose not to revisit it often or let it plague their lives. “They really never mentioned it or even when they mentioned it to me, it was never in a way that left a scar or anything of that sort,” Taapsee shared, emphasizing that the family’s resilience helped them move forward without carrying the scars of the past.
Growing up in a middle-class family, Taapsee reminisced about her early years, stating that financial constraints were always an issue at home. “Money was always tight. I didn’t even get pocket money. Whatever I needed, I was given exactly that much. Spending was so meticulously controlled that if I wanted new clothes, it was usually just once or twice a year, typically on my birthday or during Diwali. I was that annoying kid who threw tantrums in shops when I didn’t get what I wanted,” she said with a laugh.
Despite the stringent financial rules at home, these very restrictions molded Taapsee’s perspective on money and spending. “Those restrictions became a major motivation for me to earn.
. I used to tell myself that there would come a day when I wouldn’t even look at price tags. My motivation was that I didn’t want to keep asking for money. I wanted to spend my own money. I have worked really hard for it and I want to enjoy it. I don’t want to die rich; I want to live rich with the money I have earned,” she affirmed.
Taapsee, who has delivered compelling performances in films like ‘Pink’, ‘Thappad’, ‘Rashmi Rocket’, and ‘Shabaash Mithu’, made her debut in Bollywood with ‘Chashme Baddoor’ in 2013. She later rose to prominence with roles in movies such as ‘Baby’ and ‘Pink’. Her journey to stardom has been anything but easy, defined by a blend of talent, perseverance, and a relentless desire to succeed on her own terms.
In the interview, Taapsee also touched on the broader implications of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. The violence that erupted across the country in the aftermath of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s assassination left thousands of Sikhs dead, with many families like Taapsee’s bearing witness to unimaginable horrors. Her father’s experience, though relatively less devastating in terms of material loss, still echoes the broader narrative of fear and chaos that gripped the Sikh community during those fateful days.
Through her narratives, Taapsee reveals a resilient spirit that has been forged not only by her own struggles but also by the stories of endurance and survival passed down through her family. Her reflections serve as a poignant reminder of the impact such historical events have, not just on individuals, but on future generations who carry these stories forward.
This heartfelt recounting of personal history, juxtaposed with her rise in the film industry, paints a comprehensive picture of an actress who embodies the essence of grit and grace. Taapsee Pannu’s candid reflections not only shed light on the dark chapters of the past but also inspire many with her story of overcoming adversity and pursuing dreams with steadfast determination.
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