Kanika Dhillon on Female Collaborations and Navigating Male Egos with Taapsee Pannu
Speaking at an industry panel dedicated to women driving Indian cinema, screenwriter and filmmaker Kanika Dhillon reflected on the challenges of operating within the film industry, highlighting the value of strong creative partnerships and discussing her professional journey alongside actor Taapsee Pannu.
What Happened
Kanika Dhillon, Taapsee Pannu, and producer Guneet Monga Kapoor participated in a discussion organised by WIF India and Kathha Pictures focused on the rise of female-led collaborations in Indian cinema. During the session, Dhillon addressed the longstanding influence of patriarchy in the film business, noting that deep-rooted systemic disadvantages cannot be resolved overnight and require sustained hard work.
Dhillon highlighted her extensive creative association with Pannu, noting that the upcoming project Gandhari marks their sixth feature together. Emphasising that opportunities were not easily handed to them, Dhillon explained that both professionals had to hustle actively to bring their projects to fruition. She noted that working in the industry often involves navigating and circumventing male egos on film sets, describing it as a major hurdle for women creators.
Dhillon shared an anecdote from the shoot of their 2018 film Manmarziyaan, recalling how Pannu’s blunt approach to boundaries initially startled her and co-star Vicky Kaushal. Dhillon noted that while interruptions during personal time would prompt Pannu to speak out candidly, she has since come to deeply admire Pannu’s zero tolerance for fragile egos and boundary violations. In response, Pannu added lightheartedly that Dhillon now calls her in advance to advise caution regarding what to say in public situations.
Key Highlights
- Tackling Patriarchy: Dhillon concurred with Guneet Monga Kapoor that changing a century of patriarchy requires persistent effort and self-awareness rather than expecting immediate transformation.
- Emphasis on Trust: Dhillon advised aspiring filmmakers that the industry operates on equity and risk aversion, making dependable, trust-based collaborations essential for long-term progress.
- Six Collaborations: Dhillon and Pannu are working together on their sixth film, Gandhari, an achievement Dhillon attributed to mutual effort and resourcefulness.
- Navigating Set Dynamics: Dhillon identified managing male egos on sets as a major obstacle, praising Pannu for having zero tolerance for such behaviour.
- Behind-the-Scenes Dynamic: Dhillon recalled feeling nervous alongside Vicky Kaushal during dinners on the Manmarziyaan set when Pannu would directly confront people interrupting them.
Why This Matters
Dhillon’s reflections offer insight into how female creators navigate interpersonal power dynamics and systemic barriers in the film sector. By addressing the necessity of trust-building and strategic partnerships, her comments illustrate the working mechanisms behind sustained independent collaborations among women in commercial entertainment.
What to Watch Next
Audiences can look out for further developments regarding Gandhari, the sixth collaborative cinematic project between writer-producer Kanika Dhillon and actor Taapsee Pannu.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which upcoming film marks Kanika Dhillon and Taapsee Pannu’s sixth project together?
Their sixth collaboration is the feature film Gandhari.
Who organised the industry panel?
The panel discussion was organised by WIF India in partnership with Kathha Pictures.
What advice did Kanika Dhillon share for aspiring professionals?
Dhillon emphasised the importance of building reliable creative collaborations and solid working relationships to overcome the industry’s natural risk aversion.
Source: Bollywood Hungama reporting on a panel organised by WIF India and Kathha Pictures.