Tannaz Irani On Typecasting, Meaningful Roles And Choosing Stories That Matter: You've To Make People...

For someone who has spent years making audiences laugh with her impeccable comic timing, Tannaz Irani has never wanted to be defined by just one genre. From television to films, she has built a career on memorable performances, but she believes every actor has far more to offer than what they're most known for. As she steps into the OTT space with Margao Files, Tannaz says she's excited about exploring roles that push her out of her comfort zone and allow people to see a different side of her as a performer.

Having been in the industry long enough to witness its changing trends, Tannaz knows that success often comes with its own baggage. An actor who shines in one kind of role is usually expected to repeat it, and that's something she has experienced firsthand. Instead of complaining about it, however, she chooses to look at it as part of the profession. According to her, it's up to actors to keep evolving, keep learning and keep reminding filmmakers that they have much more to offer than the image people have created of them.

Talking about being stereotyped after successful performances, Tannaz admits that typecasting is almost inevitable in the entertainment industry.

"I think it's completely natural. If a director has seen you excel in a particular genre, they'll instinctively imagine you in similar roles because they already know you can deliver. It gives them confidence. I've gone through it too. After doing several comedy roles, I was offered more of the same. But I also believe it's an actor's responsibility to keep reminding people that they're capable of much more."

She says actors cannot simply wait for the industry to notice their range-they have to keep putting themselves out there.

"People usually remember you for what they've already seen. That's why you have to keep surprising them. It could be through auditions, workshops or even the kind of content you share on social media. You have to make people see your versatility instead of expecting them to discover it on their own. Thankfully, things are changing for me now, and I'm getting opportunities to play characters that are very different from the ones people associate me with."

When it comes to choosing projects, Tannaz says she has never believed that the length of a role determines its importance.

"As actors, we don't always have the luxury of sitting back and waiting for the perfect script. There are so many talented people chasing the same opportunities. For me, what matters is whether the character has something meaningful to contribute. Even if the role is small, it can stay with the audience if it's written honestly."

She also believes that every project, regardless of its scale, contributes to an actor's journey.

"Every set teaches you something. You meet new people, work with different directors and producers, and each experience helps you grow. You never know which project will lead to the next opportunity. I'd rather keep working, keep learning and keep auditioning than sit at home waiting for that one dream role."

That doesn't mean she says yes to everything. Over the years, Tannaz has turned down projects whenever she felt they weren't right for her.

"Yes, there have been times when I've refused roles. Sometimes the remuneration wasn't fair, sometimes I didn't connect with the way the character had been written, and sometimes I wasn't comfortable with the work environment. I've also said no to roles that were so insignificant they wouldn't have made any difference to my journey as an actor."

She believes being honest is the best way to handle those conversations.

"Whenever I've declined a project, I've spoken honestly with the producers and directors. I've never taken it personally or made it personal. If something doesn't fit the direction I want my career to take, it's better to say that respectfully. Most good producers understand that these decisions come from a professional space, not from ego."

Asked whether female actors enjoy greater variety in roles today, Tannaz says she doesn't see it as a question of gender.

"I don't think women automatically get more variety than men. Both can play doctors, lawyers, police officers or any other profession. The difference really lies in the medium. Television has traditionally centred around women and their journeys, while films have largely revolved around male protagonists. At the end of the day, it depends on the stories that are being written."

For Tannaz, the projects that truly matter are the ones that leave audiences with something to think about.

"I genuinely believe actors have a responsibility because you never know who is watching you or getting influenced by your work. As an artist, and especially as a mother, I'm very conscious of the kind of stories I become a part of. Children absorb so much from what they see, so we have to think carefully about the messages we're putting out there and even the brands we choose to associate ourselves with."

There are some lines, she says, that she will never cross.

"I would never endorse tobacco, hookah, smoking products or anything that goes against my values. Entertainment is important, but if we have the power to influence people in any way, then I think we should use that influence responsibly."