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Taapsee and her heroes

Taapsee Pannu began her acting career in 2010, making her debut with Dhanush in the National award winning Aadukalam.

In the space of just two years, she has made a mark for herself in Telugu, Tamil and also Malayalam cinema.

Here, Taapsee talks about the heroes she has acted with giving us a glimpse of their natures and characters.

Dhanush (Adukalam)

Dhanush was my first co-actor. I had no clue about him except the fact that he was Rajnikanth's son-in-law.

When we were in the same frame, he used to be so good that I would forget my lines!

Even though he was my first co-actor, he never showed reservations of a star. He made sure I didn't feel awkward and conversed with me on the sets. Since I didn't know Tamil, he was patient with all the retakes!

We share the same sun sign and numerological number. So we hit it off without really talking much, or meeting daily or spending time together.

Mammootty (Doubles)

He was one of the biggest stars I worked with at an early stage of my career.

Mammootty was a big star and so I was scared of him. I was quiet on the sets. This bothered him. After observing me, he asked me, 'Why don't you talk? Aren't you comfortable?'

He used to be caring and that made me feel nice.

He was helpful in all possible ways be it with the dialogues or the comfort factor.

Working with him was a learning experience. It made me shed my inhibitions about working with big stars.

Manoj Manchu & Vishnu Manchu (Jhummandi Naadam & Vasthaadu Naa Raju)

While Manoj was a prankster, Vishnu is a responsible person. The brothers are poles apart. Manoj has high energy levels, whereas Vishnu found it tough handling my high energy!

Manoj is a good friend whom I can bank on. There's always a caring and responsible feeling from Vishnu.

I'm close to the family as I have worked with both the brothers. I used to have a rough time with Manoj and his pranks. At the same time, Manoj was there to make me smile in all the low moods I went through since it was my first Telugu film (Jhummandi Naadam). Even now Manoj can brighten up the worst of moods.

Prabhas (Mr Perfect)

Unlike his image of a rebel and action hero, Prabhas is cool, calm, and chilled out. He is fun to work with and cracks jokes on the sets.

His screen presence is amazing. You don't feel that when you are working with him.

Ravi Teja (Veera, Daruvu)

He has this high energy level on and off screen. He speaks Hindi and that was the connecting point for me.

He talks a lot and it was a blast on the sets. We have a laugh riot on the sets as he goes on cracking jokes.

He is an idol for many for being what he is.

Gopichand (Mogudu)

He's another example of a contrast image. He has this angry image on screen. But I have never seen him angry.

He's a very soft spoken person. Gopichand is family-oriented and hardly goes out. He's generally seen with friends and family.

Jiva (Vanthaan Vendraan)

Jiva is one of the most professional of people and we shared a healthy, professional relationship.

I'm not in touch with him, yet when we meet, it's a nice feeling. It's fun to meet him as he's a warm person.

Venkatesh (Shadow)

I'm probably working with the biggest gentleman (Ajith is the other) in both the industries.

They are too good to be believable. They are replications of each other behaviour wise.

Venkatesh is from a production background and he knows the nuances. He is a boon to have on the sets as he can help people from all departments. He has worked in 60 plus movies and each and every shot with him is an experience to learn from.

He sits near the monitor, near the shot, does not interfere but helps out. He knows certain things which I don't notice, which I don't ask, but he himself comes and tells me.

He doesn't sit in the caravan. He uses it only for changing his clothes.

It's the same with Ajith. I ask myself, do such people exist even now?

I'm not too much into spirituality. Two years in the industry has made me mature and I have gained experience. I know such people in Delhi who are seeing things from a broader point of view. I shared it with Venkatesh, he shared some viewpoints.

You can draw yourself into complexities and tension and also learn the art of letting go. What is meant for you is yours and what is not is not. Then life is happiest. It is difficult to let go.

In the past two years I have learnt. I can let go worries and be happy and with what I have in hand.

Ajith

His personality is attractive: he will meet and greet everyone from the director to the sweeper on the set and then go and get ready.

When he first met me, he asked, how are you? Hope everything is well at home. Thank you for joining us.

I felt happy and amazed. I was impressed with his nature and humbleness.

He will cook food personally and get it from home. It could be biryani or health food. He loves giving without bothering about the monetary gain.

Arya

He is brattish and energetic. This is one of the sets where I have laughed so much in two days and had so much fun. He jokes and laughs a lot.