"Bollywood cinema has made our country."
In the glistening realm of Bollywood, Tanishaa Mukerji is a symbol of talent.
Hailing from one of the most famous Bollywood families, Tanishaa is the younger sister of Kajol and the daughter of the veteran actor Tanuja.
She is also the niece of the beloved Indian actor and singer, Kishore Kumar.
Tanishaa began acting with Pavan S Kaul’s Sssshhh… (2003). She also starred in the highly acclaimed Sarkar (2005) with Amitabh Bachchan.
In 2008, the actress reprised her role in its sequel, Sarkar Raj.
Tanishaa has also appeared extensively on television. She has been a contestant in shows including Bigg Boss 7 (2013), Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 7 (2016), and Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 11 (2023).
She also judged Gangs of Hassepur in 2014.
In our exclusive chat, Tanishaa talked about her career and revealed her thoughts on nepotism. She also divulged her family and future work.
So sit back, relax, and prepare to be inspired by the wonderful words of Tanishaa Mukerji.
What inspired you to become an actress?
I think it was watching my mother get ready every morning in front of the dressing table and just seeing how hard she worked.
I used to love the whole vibe of being on a film set. My dad used to read me scripts in the form of bedtime stories.
So I think I always wanted to do what my mother was doing – I was very enamoured by her.
Of course, I also did school plays and things like that.
I realised that I really enjoyed the stage and even after getting into films, I enjoy the stage and relish being on it.
What have you learned from your sister Kajol and has she influenced you in any way?
I think Kajol has influenced me in the way any sister would influence her sibling.
We all get influenced by our sisters. Kajol has always been more like a mother to me in terms of values and priorities.
She has always been somebody to look up to.
I think I do get influenced by my sister and I’m sure that I have also influenced her too!
But I think it’s always been for the better.
What films and genres have you particularly enjoyed working in and why?
I have done some mystical films like horrors and simply mysticism and spirituality which I have enjoyed.
I like doing those roles of ghosts and spirituality – I enjoy playing those kinds of characters.
I think they are interesting like psychics and things like that.
The other side that I have really enjoyed is playing very romantic scenes.
I enjoy doing fun romances. That’s very fun to play.
How have your television appearances aided you as an artist?
My television appearances have always been in reality shows.
When you’re acting, you’re playing a character.
When I have done reality shows, people have been able to see who the person is behind the characters I have played.
I think that has benefitted me because I guess people like me as a person!
But they know who I am – the good and the bad.
I like that and I like connecting with people.
Which actors have inspired you in your journey and why?
When I was young, it was Audrey Hepburn. I think as I grew older, I was young and impressionable.
I used to watch a lot of Hollywood cinema so it was Audrey Hepburn for sure – her journey and the way she acted.
I used to love watching her films so she was a very big influence on me. I would have to say my mother in later years and my sister.
Kishore Kumar really influenced me as an actor. The way he would enact a scene was just so unpredictable.
I found it very fascinating to watch him. I used to love watching old-time Shammi Kapoor and all these actors inspired my journey.
Of course, the most inspirational is Amitabh Bachchan. But he has inspired me as a person more than a performer on set.
When I did Sarkar with him, he really influenced me in what makes an actor. It’s not just what you do in front of the camera.
It is also the way you are with people around you. I think he has inspired me in that way.
I think I have been inspired by a lot of greats and I’m lucky to have most of them in my family, especially my grandmother.
What is your opinion on nepotism and the ‘Boycott Bollywood’ trend? Have they gone too far?
I think this whole conversation about nepotism is very unfortunate. You are choosing to be a victim.
Because there are pros and cons. Nepotism is part of the Indian culture.
Nobody builds a business to pass it on to random people. It is for their children.
In the same way, actors build their reputation for their children and it’s up to the children to choose to take it on. What is wrong with that?
They are getting the benefits. What else can an actor give their kids? It’s not like they have businesses, empires, and offices.
They have movies, reputation, and goodwill. That’s what they pass on to their children.
I think this whole ‘Boycott Bollywood’ trend is a very sad thing. To boycott any industry is going against the industry.
You don’t hear ‘Boycott Steel’ or ‘Boycott Jewellery’. Why would you boycott Bollywood? It is so much a part of our culture.
It’s not just actors and directors. There are workers, technicians, staff, dancers, and so many others involved in this industry.
So when you’re talking about boycotting us, you’re taking the livelihoods of all these people away. It is very sad and unfortunate.
This is one trend that needs to end. It’s a trend that needs to be abolished and people need to come into awareness.
Bollywood is part of our history and culture. Bollywood cinema has made our country.
My whole point is that so many things are formed from Bollywood from the way you drape your saree to the way you address your mother-in-law.
Today, everything – from romance to relationships – everything is informed through Bollywood.
So, how can we boycott something that is so much a part of us? That’s what I find shocking.
It’s greater than a few people whom you want to criticise. It’s so easy to criticise us because we are the most visual. The moment you compare something with Bollywood, it becomes popular.
Why boycott it? You should be highlighting, enhancing, and cherishing it.
Yes, we have made some mistakes but not everyone is perfect. Some films are great and not great.
It’s part of the process and does not mean that you boycott it. I really think that trend needs to end.
What advice would you give to budding actors?
Work really hard! Do your work and become good at everything – dancing, singing.
It is not just about Bollywood but it is about the new era we are coming into with AI.
Human beings need to be beyond AI. We need to be better. So do your singing, dancing, and acting classes.
Do whatever you need to and just work. Put in 1,000 or 10,000 hours. Put in the work!
Make yourself an amazing actor. That would be my advice to all budding actors because you can only do this if you love it.
If you don’t love it, don’t do it.
Can you tell us anything about your future work?
My future project is a fabulous historical film based on one of Shivaji’s lieutenants, Murarbaji.
That’s all I can talk about right now. It’s going to be multilingual – Hindi and Marathi.
I hope you guys like me in this project. It’s going to be something very different for me.
Tanishaa Mukerji is undoubtedly a fantastic artist.
Although she comes from one of the most revered Bollywood families, she has unquestionably carved her imprint on the hearts of the audience.
Her mature thoughts about nepotism and other unfortunate aspects will hopefully help end such trends that are detrimental to the industry.
Her wise words will inspire millions of fans and followers.
It’s all upwards for Tanishaa Mukerji from here!
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