1 week Ago By Subhash K Jha
From being trolled for being a privileged star kid to suddenly being recognised as a notable actress, Ananya Panday has come a long way within just one year. The Call Me Bae actress is excited to be acknowledged for her performances. Excerpts from the interview An astounding turnaround year for you, would you agree? Absolutely! Kho Gaye Hum Kahan came last year, Call Me Bae, and CTRL came out this year, and the love they’ve received has been overwhelming.
Each project explores different facets of reality that we all navigate in real life. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to portray characters I resonate with so deeply. I think the audience connected with them because these stories reflect experiences they could relate to.
The response has been nothing short of incredible, and it motivates me to continue exploring such meaningful narratives. ALSO READ: Danube Properties Filmfare OTT Awards 2024: Ananya Panday Goes Full Filmy In SRK Style Winning Post The film industry’s and the audience’s perception of your abilities has changed completely. Does this give you a sense of relief and vindication? When Student of the Year 2 was released I felt a strong sense of acceptance from the audiences especially love from children which was extremely gratifying.
I also felt like, for the next few years, I was placed in a box defined by others’ perceptions of me. It was a challenge to break out of that mould. With every new project, I’ve been making a conscious effort to push boundaries and redefine how people see me, all the while choosing roles that align with the kind of stories I want to tell.
It’s incredibly fulfilling to see that shift in perception, and it gives me a sense of purpose rather than just relief. How did you deal with all the trolling before 2024? In the beginning, the trolling and negativity were hard to handle. I’m a human being at the end of the day, so it did affect my confidence and self-esteem sometimes.
Over time, I’ve learned to navigate it better. Seeking support, including therapy, has been a big part of that journey. I’ve also come to understand that while I can’t control everyone’s opinions of me, I can control how I respond.
I’ve learned not to take it personally and to focus instead on my growth and the work I believe in. Nothing beats just putting your head down and doing the good work and I’m happy to now see all the overwhelming love I’ve been receiving for the characters I’ve played. Call me Bae and CTRL are both game changers.
In fact, I was with Shabana Azmi and she said you were astonishing in CTRL. Can't get any better, or can it? Honestly, I'm truly honoured and humbled by Shabana Ma’am’s kind words. She’s been such an inspiration to me.
It's an incredible feeling to know that my work is being appreciated by such a legendary actress. I'm just excited to see what the future holds and push my boundaries even further. Your turnaround roles this year, along with Kho Gaye Hum Kahan, all featured you as a privileged woman.
Are you confident you can portray characters from the other side? Ahana from Kho Gaye Hum Kahan remains one of my favourite characters to date. These stories reflect the realities many of us face while the characters I’ve played may appear privileged on the surface, their privilege lies in their ability to break through societal and personal challenges to choose themselves, an act of courage and growth that resonates universally. I firmly believe storytelling transcends labels like privilege, for me the focus is always on understanding and portraying the emotional truth of a character, regardless of their circumstances.
As an actor, you have to be able to play every character and I’m hopeful and excited to show the audiences some of the different and exciting roles I’ve been working on. Would you agree that 2024 was a decisive year for you? Yes, 2024 has definitely been a pivotal year for me. I've had the chance to work on some incredible projects and grow as an actor.
I'm grateful for the opportunities and love I've received for all my work this year. What can we expect from you in 2025? I have a super special film coming up with Akshay sir and Madhavan sir which is a courtroom drama set in the 1920s. I also start shooting for Chand Mera Dil directed by Vivek Soni with Lakshya soon.
And a few exciting projects I’ve signed too that I can’t speak about yet. I am just looking forward to taking on new challenges in the coming year. Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from Bollywood, Entertainment News and around the world.
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