Since her acting debut in 2019 with Student of the Year 2, directed by Punit Malhotra, Ananya Panday has collaborated with several talented filmmakers in the Indian film industry.
Her roles in films such as Pati Patni Aur Woh (directed by Mudassar Aziz), Gehraiyaan (directed by Shakun Batra), Kho Gaye Hum Kahan (directed by Arjun Varain Singh), and CTRL (directed by Vikramaditya Motwane) have given her a platform to showcase her versatility. Despite these successful collaborations, Ananya has a long list of directors she still dreams of working with, including industry giants like Karan Johar and Sanjay Leela Bhansali.
Ananya Panday has always expressed her admiration for Karan Johar, a leading filmmaker in Bollywood known for his larger-than-life romantic dramas. Although she had the opportunity to feature in a song for Johar’s film Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, starring Alia Bhatt and Ranveer Singh, she hopes to play a more significant role in one of his future projects. “I would love to be a heroine in a proper film directed by Karan Johar,” Ananya shared during a recent media interaction, emphasizing her desire to be part of his world of cinema.
While Ananya has worked with Zoya Akhtar as a producer and writer for Kho Gaye Hum Kahan, she eagerly awaits the opportunity to star in a film directed by Akhtar herself. Known for her unique and socially relevant storytelling, Zoya Akhtar has been a game-changer in Bollywood with films like Gully Boy and Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara. For Ananya, being directed by Zoya would be a dream come true.
Another name high on her wishlist is Sanjay Leela Bhansali, the visionary filmmaker behind epic dramas like Padmaavat and Bajirao Mastani. “I would love to work with Sanjay. He’s like an all-time favorite,” Ananya mentioned, underlining her admiration for the director. Bhansali’s larger-than-life sets, intricate detailing, and grand storytelling style have made him one of the most sought-after directors in the industry. Ananya hopes to collaborate with him someday, immersing herself in the grandeur of his cinematic world.
Along with her aspirations to work with acclaimed directors, Ananya is keen to experiment with new genres in her acting career. When asked about the types of films she would like to explore, she expressed a desire to try her hand at romantic films, horror movies, and biopics. Having worked primarily in romantic comedies and dramas so far, Ananya’s interest in horror and biopics reflects her ambition to grow and evolve as an actor by taking on more challenging roles.
Despite her growing success in the industry, Ananya remains grounded and open to learning. She acknowledged that her journey in Bollywood, while fulfilling, has also come with its fair share of challenges, including facing online trolling and negativity. However, she remains unfazed by the criticism. “I wouldn’t change anything about my acting journey,” she shared, adding that each film has helped her grow and evolve as an actor.
