Ananya Panday, currently promoting her upcoming show ‘Call Me Bae,’ shared in a recent interview how she has become more vocal about her opinions as a young actor in the industry. She highlighted her experience with the 2022 film ‘Liger,’ in which she co-starred with Vijay Deverakonda, where she voiced her discomfort with certain dialogues in the script.
During her chat with Sucharita Tyagi, Ananya Panday discussed how, as a Gen-Z actor, she feels the importance of standing up for what she believes in, particularly when it comes to issues like women’s safety. She expressed that while reviewing scripts, she often identifies dialogue or scenarios that do not align with her values, stating that it is her responsibility to voice her concerns. She revealed that this was particularly the case while working on ‘Liger,’ where she requested changes to parts of the script she was uncomfortable with.
Ananya Panday on the Challenges Faced in Liger
Ananya Panday shared that during the filming of ‘Liger,’ she had several instances where she felt that her character’s dialogues did not sit right with her. She explained, “Whenever I am reading a script I have this red flag thing going on in my mind like, ‘No Gen-Z person speaks like this.’ This is not okay.” She emphasized that as an actor, she feels a duty to represent her generation authentically and responsibly, particularly when it comes to content that might influence audience perceptions.
Panday added that she believes it is important for actors to use their voices and influence to advocate for changes that align with their values. She said, “For example, Liger where there were a lot of things that where I was like, ‘Listen I am not okay saying this. As a woman, this is not correct.’ They actually did make those changes and I am really happy that I did voice my opinion at that time.”
‘Liger,’ directed by Puri Jagannadh, was a sports action drama that marked Vijay Deverakonda’s Bollywood debut and was also Ananya’s first bilingual film. Despite high expectations, the film did not perform well at the box office.
Ananya Panday’s Upcoming Show ‘Call Me Bae’
After the experience with ‘Liger,’ Ananya Panday is now set to appear in the new show ‘Call Me Bae,’ where she plays a lead role. The show, produced by Karan Johar, Apoorva Mehta, and Somen Mishra, will debut on Prime Video on September 6, 2024. It features an ensemble cast including Vir Das, Gurfateh Pirzada, Varun Sood, Vihaan Samat, Muskkaan Jaferi, Niharika Lyra Dutt, Lisa Mishra, and Mini Mathur in pivotal roles.
Speaking about her new show, Ananya mentioned that ‘Call Me Bae’ is an amalgamation of various chick-flicks she grew up watching, which brings a sense of nostalgia while also presenting contemporary issues faced by her generation. The show explores themes of self-discovery, relationships, and navigating the complexities of modern life, making it relatable for a diverse audience.
Ananya’s Take on Using Her Voice in the Industry
Ananya Panday’s recent statements underscore her commitment to using her platform to advocate for positive changes in the entertainment industry. She stressed that while she does not feel the need to take a stand on every issue, she believes in standing up for what she personally finds important.
She said, “Personally for me, women’s safety and the state of that in our country is very important to speak about and I do voice my opinion a lot.” Panday’s approach reflects a growing trend among younger actors who are increasingly mindful of the impact their work can have on societal perceptions and norms.
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