Ananya Panday on Privilege, Self-Doubt and Choosing Roles That Change Her
Ananya Panday appears on Filmfare’s May-June 2026 cover, candid about privilege, insecurity and the roles that have reshaped her. Since her 2019 debut, she has moved from coming-of-age dramas to darker, more complex work — from Kho Gaye Hum Kahan and Gehraiyaan to the digital hit Call Me Bae and Kesari Chapter 2. In an exclusive interview, she talks about owning the advantages she started with, learning to turn self-doubt into motivation, and trusting directors to guide her craft.
On privilege she says she never pretended it did not exist. “I did have privilege when I began, and I still do. I always wanted to be an actor. When I got the opportunity, I wanted to make the most of it and not let anyone down.” She credits director Shakun Batra’s faith during Gehraiyaan for revealing a deeper side of her work and pushing her into more mature performances.
Ananya is open about insecurity but refuses to be defined by it. “Everyone feels insecure. It is about how you deal with that insecurity. Channel it into inspiration and motivation to do better,” she says. She calls her inner critic a tough but useful companion and adds that self-aware humour helps her stay grounded. That humour is central to Call Me Bae, her first leading comedy, which she describes with pride as bold and self-aware.
On social media and scrutiny, Ananya stays pragmatic: she is a director’s actor and looks to filmmakers for guidance on crafting a character. Asked about success, she rejects a simple popularity-versus-meaning divide, noting that reception after release is often beyond an actor’s control.
She also shares a personal moment watching cousin Ahaan Panday’s breakout in Saiyaara. “I didn’t cry when my first film released, but I howled when I saw Ahaan on the big screen. I was so proud,” she says, praising his humble approach to early stardom.
Filmfare’s May-June 2026 issue rounds up the latest in movies and entertainment and includes this in-depth conversation with one of Bollywood’s most talked-about young stars.
