Ananya Pandey made her debut in Student of the Year 2 and she has not stopped! With a amazing performances that showcased her range in 2024 with Call Me Bae and CTRL, the actress now looks forward to challenging herself with special films in 2025 and on. She talks with Subhash K Jha about her career so far, doing ‘good work’ and more.
Ananya Pandey agrees 2024 was a decisive year for her. “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. 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.”
Ananya feels even her debut film resonated with a section of the audience. “When Student of the Year 2 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. In the beginning, the trolling and negativity were hard to handle. I’m a human being at end of the day, so it did affect my confidence and self-esteem some times. 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.”
Ananya’s turnaround roles this year, along with Kho Gaye Hum Kahan, all featured her as a privileged women. “Ahaana from Kho Gaye Hum Kahan remains one of my favorite 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. 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.”
