One of Bollywood’s most talked-about young stars, Ananya Panday, graces the cover of Filmfare’s May-June 2026 issue, and she is as refreshingly unfiltered as ever. Since her debut in 2019, Ananya has steadily carved her own space in Hindi cinema, from the coming-of-age drama Kho Gaye Hum Kahan to the critically appreciated Gehraiyaan, from the digital sensation Call Me Bae to Kesari Chapter 2. With each project she has pushed herself further. In an exclusive conversation with Filmfare, she opens up about privilege, self-doubt, social media, and staying true to her craft.
On the subject of privilege, one she has never shied away from, Ananya said, “I did have privilege when I began, and I still do, of course. I always wanted to be an actor. And when I did get the opportunity, I just wanted to make the most of it and not let anyone down.”
Reflecting on the role that truly shifted how the industry and she herself saw her potential, she spoke about working with Shakun Batra on Gehraiyaan, saying, “Shakun Batra saw a different side of me. I think he felt that I could take on something much deeper, stronger and a little more mature than I was as a person at the time.”
When it comes to insecurity and self-doubt, Ananya does not pretend they don’t exist, she simply refuses to be undone by them. She said, “Everyone feels insecure. But it’s about how you deal with that insecurity. You should channel it into inspiration and motivation to do better.” Her inner critic, she adds, is both her harshest and most constructive companion. She continued, “My sense of humour is also self-aware. I’m my own harshest critic. I’ve learnt from my father that it’s okay to laugh at yourself. Of course, there should never be any form of disrespect. But you should be comfortable taking a joke and laughing along with everyone else.”
That quality of self-aware humour found its fullest expression in Call Me Bae, a project she speaks about with visible pride. She shared, “When it came to Call Me Bae, I had never done an out-and-out comedy that I was leading. I loved how front-footed and self-aware the humour of that show was.”
On navigating social media scrutiny and what it means for her craft, Ananya is clear-eyed. She noted, “I’m a complete director’s actor, and I look to my directors to guide me on how to approach a performance or understand a character.”
On what success looks like today versus when she first started out, she reflected, “I don’t really look at it in terms of ‘popular’ versus ‘meaningful’. Maybe once a film releases it becomes popular, but that part is honestly not in our hands.”
Ananya also opens up about what it felt like to watch her cousin Ahaan Panday’s breakout moment in Saiyaara and the emotion that caught even her off guard. She revealed, “I didn’t cry when my first film released, but I howled when I saw Ahaan on the big screen. I was so proud of him and so happy with all the love that he’s received. I just see him go higher and higher. I see him handle stardom in a humble way. I’ve not seen it get to his head in any sort of way. He has this almost childlike excitement about every call, every moment of appreciation he’s got.”
Filmfare’s May-June 2026 issue chronicles and celebrates all that’s hot and happening in the world of movies and entertainment, bringing readers closer to the stars they love.