'Audiences' expectations don't scare me'

The teaser for Taapsee Pannu's new film Haseen Dillruba has released and it features the actress in a murderous avatar.

She is looking every inch the femme fatale from the 1980s.

"That's the idea," Taapsee tells Subhash K Jha.

"The intention is to project a pulp fiction look and feel. I know the teaser doesn't give much away, but don't worry. You will get a much better idea of the film from the trailer. The teaser is supposed to provide just a glimpse of the characters."

The actress, who was last seen in Anubhav Sinha's Thappad, has constantly striven to push the envelope and raise the bar.

"Audiences' expectations don't scare me. It challenges me to do better and better," she says.

"I want them to come to the theatre with expectations of something special, something substantial. Now there are expectations not only from my films but from the characters I play. And that's fine. I hope to give something new and different once again in Haseen Dillruba."

She will be seen in an author-backed role once again in Vinil Mathew's new film.

"I am open to smaller parts like Soorma and Mission Mangal as long as I have something to contribute to the plot. I have to be relevant. But I can't do small roles where the audience goes home with me making no impression. That would backfire.

"There was a Telugu film I did two years ago where I was there in the first half and then I vanished in the second half. I returned in the last 20 minutes. I could feel the audience waiting for my return in the plot. That kind of expectation is both scary and exciting.

"I feel if I do an inconsequential role, the audience will feel cheated. I think the audience wants to see me in central roles, and that's what they will get in Haseen Dillruba."

"I have always been interested in stories that explore the various dynamics of human relationships," Vinil Mathew adds. "Haseen Dillruba is one such edgy story, written beautifully by Kanika Dhillon."