Showing posts with label Rysa Panday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rysa Panday. Show all posts
It used to bother me what they wrote about Ananya-Bhavana Pandey
8:27 AM
Twinning and drop-dead gorgeous, actor Ananya Panday and her mother Bhavana Pandey sit for a tete-a-tete with Rishabh Suri, in an exclusive shoot for HT City Showstoppers
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; May 12, 2024)
Ananya Panday doesn’t want to leave her baby, her dog Riot, alone even for a minute. Bhavana Pandey, her mum, has only now learnt to let her baby go solo — in her new apartment. We chat up the duo, who are in the middle of a new series of unique firsts.
What sort of a mum was Bhavana while you were growing up, Ananya — a helicopter mom or a cool one?
Ananya: Not helicopter. In school, she was strict, involved in all my school work. I was the first child, and she would do all my projects. I wouldn’t say I was pampered, but she would help me revise everything. My mum secretly wanted to become an actor, someone in the family told me, that’s why she would get into my learning of poems and elocution. Also, I used to tell her about even the smallest of things. She was one of the more chill moms. She was involved when I started my career as an actor, I needed her. I would be lost if my mom was not there to help me.
Maybe Ananya realizes what it’s like to be a mom, with the new baby in her life...
Ananya: It’s been a few days since Riot came home, and I messaged mum on the third night, saying ‘It’s tough to be a mother’! (laughs)
Bhavana: Ananya’s a lot like her father... Riot has only come now, so we have to see how her journey is. I used to be the one who would shower love on her when she was born, Chunky did, too, but he was paranoid about her. I remember at night, Ananya would be sleeping in her cot, and he would go to check if she is breathing. In the middle of the night.
Ananya: I do the same with Riot.
How’s it been for the two of you, ever since Ananya moved out? Bhavana, your younger daughter Rysa is also studying abroad.
Ananya: I am loving it! I never went abroad to study, never lived outside my house. I was very protected. I am living alone but still close to parents. It is a healthy space, asking me to take responsibility and not depend on them. They are still a phone call away, but I am trying to take on as much responsibility as I can.
Bhavana: Ananya moved out in January. She wanted to get her own space as soon as she entered films. I felt she should not take added responsibility back then. How many people are fortunate to live in Mumbai, and have people looking after everything? I felt she should take advantage of it and concentrate on work. I was nervous in the beginning, but when Rysa went to the US, I realized I should let them fly.
You both are in showbiz, and social media is indispensable. How do the two of you react when you see the other person being trolled or facing negativity?
Ananya: I don’t read comments anymore.
Bhavana: It used to bother me what they wrote about her. I have realized that even if 100 people talk badly about you, it’s just a small speck in the universe. There are so many people that love you! I don’t think there is much bad written about me. At the most they will say ‘buddhi’ or ‘Why are these women doing this show, they are not star wives’. First, you, too, are going to be at that age one day, and secondly, we said ‘Bollywood wives’, not ‘star wives’.
What’s the dynamic like between the two of you busy professionals?
Ananya: (laughs) Everyone at home is suddenly super busy. Even dad (actor Chunky Panday) is doing films in Gujarati and Tamil, and OTT shows. Mom’s Fabulous Lives Of Bollywood Wives has taken off. But at home, we discuss work a lot less now, and our lives more often.
Bhavana: I always saw it from an outside perspective, an emotional one. Now I understand Ananya and Chunky’s profession better. I remember Chunky coming back after a 12-hour shoot and I would expect him to be chirpy and tell me how the shoot was. Today, I know when you are in front of the camera, you’re so exhausted when you come home, you need me time.
Ananya, are you giving tips to your mum?
Ananya: I don’t think she needs the tips! I was just telling her what to do in the shoot, and she told me sarcastically, ‘Oh, why don’t you become a director!’ You learn so much by observing people as an actor — and she’s quite a pro at it already.
Bhavana: I am terrible at learning lines. I don’t think I have the bandwidth to sit and learn lines or get into characters.
Infidelity is a deal breaker for me, but 10 years down the line, I don’t know if I will feel the same way-Ananya Panday
8:01 AM
Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; February 1, 2022)
Deepika Padukone, in her very first interaction about Gehraiyaan, was all praises for Ananya Panday, her young co-star who plays her cousin Tia in the relationship drama. As the film inches closer to its release on Amazon Prime Video, the chatter around Ananya’s performance is gathering momentum. Talking to BT, Ananya opens up about how this film has deeply impacted her professionally and personally. Excerpts:
During our previous interaction this year, you mentioned how excited you were about teaming up with actors like Deepika Padukone, Siddhant Chaturvedi and Dhairya Karwa. As the buzz around the film is gaining momentum, how would you describe your feeling at this point?
I am curious right now. We have attempted to do something different, and all of us are looking forward to finding out what the audience thinks of the film, the characters, the story and the way it all plays out. Whatever I say will not do justice to how much this film has changed me. I think we were among the lucky few to start filming in the middle of the Coronavirus pandemic. It was hard. It was a fresh set of challenges that stood before us — there is heavy intimacy and warmth in the film, and everyone around us was in masks and PPE kits. From the time we started doing workshops and intimacy training sessions, we became like one family.
I learned so much from my co-stars, from Shakun Batra (director) and everyone involved in the making. With this movie, I have fallen in love with the process of acting, and I have discovered the tipping point or the beginning of my process as an actor going forward. I don’t ever want to say that I have completely cracked it, but this is how I want to do things. I am all of 23 right now. I shot this when I was about 21. I have seen myself growing up; it’s been captured in the film. It has made me non-judgemental as a person. It’s an observational film and not the kind that spoon-feeds the audience about what they should feel at some point. How the audience reacts to characters will also show how they perceive modern relationships.
You have also said that playing Tia was a cathartic process in some ways. Could you elaborate on that?
Most people don’t know me as a person as such. But those who do know me know that I am a lot like Tia. So, I didn’t have to look at relationships around me to understand her psyche. Shakun had realised that even before I knew it. Playing the part was cathartic in the sense that it can be scary. It’s not like I was playing myself, but I had to borrow a lot of myself for the role. I can’t say that I have felt everything the way and with the magnitude that Tia feels in the film, but I have felt most of the things that she feels. Maybe I have felt them in smaller proportions and not in the manner in which she goes through them, and probably at a superficial level. So, while playing her, I had to dive in deeper and imagine myself in even more uncomfortable situations to aptly depict Tia’s fragility, vulnerability and insecurities. You build barriers around you, so people don’t see that side of you, and then you have to play it out on screen for millions of people to see. The thought is scary, but once you get past that, it can be one of the most liberating feelings. Although in the film, my character goes through something much higher than I have experienced, I’ve also had my heart broken, felt cheated and hurt and even my view is as innocent as her where I like to see the best in people.
While you were surrounded by a set of solid performers in the film, did that push you to up your game?
Honestly, I have always wanted to be an actor. This is only my fourth film. From the time I started out, I had realised that this is what I want to do for the rest of my life. There is a lot that I want to do, show, achieve and continuously grow with. With Gehraiyaan, I figured that this is the kind of cinema I want to do where you are lost in the process of acting and where one gets to play off of the performances of some fantastic actors. I hope Gehraiyaan creates a new path for me and people see a different side of me. I have seen the film, but the first time I see my work, I am extremely critical. Also, I have seen it in parts during the dubbing. Now, I want to see it in one flow. I want the audience to like my work. I am curious to see their and my own reaction to my performance.
Given how deeply intimate the film is and the fact that your family might not have exactly seen this side of you, are you nervous about how they would react to your performance?
I am actually excited. My mom reads all the scripts that come my way, but dad (Chunky Panday) doesn’t. Especially when I decide to do something, he doesn’t want to be told much about it. He wants to see it as a fresh piece. My parents are my biggest cheerleaders and also my critics. I am looking forward to what they think. I am also hoping that my sister Rysa likes this film. She is very hard to please, and wants to be a filmmaker herself. She loved the trailer.
How much did working on Gehraiyaan affect you on a personal level?
It helped me stop being judgemental about things, especially when it’s about relationships and things I am not aware of. Relationships are always between two people and what happens is often between them. No one knows what makes them happy and what makes it all work. Personally, I feel, at this point, infidelity is a deal-breaker for me, but 10 years down the line, I don’t know if I will feel the same way. I haven’t lived and experienced enough on my own, but through the film, I learned that you need to place yourself in others’ shoes and be empathetic towards what’s happening, the place and the time when it’s happening and how things are playing out internally. It has changed my perspective on relationships completely.
Putting myself out for the world to judge was scary-Bhavana Pandey
8:09 AM
Juhi Chakraborty (HINDUSTAN TIMES; January 14, 2021)
She has been known as Chunky Panday’s wife and Ananya Panday’s mum, but after her reality TV series debut, Bhavana Pandey has got her own fan following.
“My Instagram DMs used to be full of messages like, ‘Ma’am, I’m a big fan of Ananya or Chunky but now those messages are, ‘Ma’am, we loved you’,” shares Bhavana. However, she admits that getting on board the series Fabulous Lives Of Bollywood Wives was a tough call to take, and involved lengthy discussions with her family. “I’ve been a VJ and model in my early 20s but that age was different. Now, I’m Chunky’s wife and Ananya and Rysa’s mother. Suddenly putting myself out there for the world to judge you was a little scary,” she confesses.
Other than Bhavana, the show focuses on the lives of her friends, Neelam Kothari, Maheep Kapoor and Seema Khan, wives of Bollywood actors Samir Soni, Sanjay Kapoor and Sohail Khan respectively. “Having them around made the apprehensions slowly go away,” she adds. Asked if it means more on-screen ventures, she says, “I know I’ll not be able to act to save my life. Two actors are enough in the family.”
While the show received a mixed response, Bhavana has seen trolling at close quarters about her daughter, Ananya. “Initially, it used to affect me a lot. I agree they’re actors and should be open to criticism, but it should be constructive and meaningful,” she adds.
To me, it's a positive coincidence, says Karisma Kapoor about Mentalhood
8:20 AM
Karisma Kapoor delighted as her web debut Mentalhood, which dropped in early March, gets a new lease of life with viewers discovering it amid lockdown
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; April 14, 2020)
Of late, Karisma Kapoor's social media feed has been flooded with congratulatory messages from fans about her web debut, Mentalhood. Call it serendipity or what you will, but the series — which dropped only 10 days before the Coronavirus lockdown came into effect — has found a new lease of life over the past fortnight as homebound citizens are bingeing on the slice-of-life drama."I would call it an unplanned positive coincidence because some things happen without any push. The best part is a lot of people have appreciated the show," says Kapoor, delighted that her maiden digital offering has been welcomed with open arms. She jokes that the Ekta Kapoor-backed series has also earned a nod of approval from daughter Samaira, who is her biggest cheerleader and harshest critic. "My daughter usually doesn't watch Hindi web shows. But she watched Mentalhood, and said, 'Mom, I am so proud of you.' That was overwhelming. As a mother, a compliment coming from my daughter means a lot."
Recently, Samaira shot for a video that was directed by Ananya Panday's sister Rysa, sparking speculation that she is Bollywood-bound. "It was a school activity that she did. Whether she [eventually] pursues acting or direction is completely her choice. As a parent, I will always support her decision. But for now, there is no plan [to foray into Bollywood]."
The actor, who is staying put at home with Samaira and son Kiaan Raj, stresses the need to maintain a positive bent of mind amid the current scenario. "It's an anxious time for everyone, but the crucial thing to remember is that this will end soon. It is important that we stay positive and calm. The past two months were hectic for me due to the show's promotions, so I am making the most of this period by being at home with my kids."
I’ve never stayed at home for this long-Ananya Panday
8:37 AM
Ananya Panday hopes to make the most of the quarantine time
Sangeeta Yadav (HINDUSTAN TIMES; April 2, 2020)
She calls herself a “serial chiller”, and actor Ananya Panday seems to be making the most of her time with her sister, Rysa, during the 21-day lockdown due to Coronavirus. From baking cookies, taking part in quarantakshri, to painting, she has her hands full. “It’s best to make the most of it since we aren’t able to go out,” the actor says.
With work taking a backseat, the 21-year-old is missing the sets. “It’s a very different time and a surreal feeling for me, because ever since I’ve started shooting, I’ve never stayed at home for this long. I’ve been working back-to-back and never got this long a break. I would take a break from work for not more than three days. But now, it has been more than a week and I’m already missing work. I hope the crisis gets over and I can get back to it soon,” she shares.
The shootings of Ananya’s upcoming films — Khaali Peeli opposite Ishaan Khatter and Fighter alongside Vijay Devarakonda — have also got pushed as a result. “It has affected my work and everyone else’s as well. The shooting of two of my films has got pushed. Everything is postponed, leading to major losses, but health is more important than anything else,” says Panday.
Given how some people are still going out, Ananya feels, “They should understand why we are self-isolating ourselves. I am not socialising with my friends, and we must take precautions. Only then we can stop this virus from spreading further.”
I’ve had my share of relationships-Ananya Panday
8:03 AM
Ananya Panday, who plays the ‘other woman’ in her next, says she can’t deal with a boyfriend or husband like Chintu Tyagi
Ankita Chaurasia (MUMBAI MIRROR; December 5, 2019)
She is in the car, on her way to yet another promotional event for her upcoming film, Pati Patni Aur Woh, and sounds tired. To add to her woes, she has a sore throat, which she sheepishly admits is due to her own recklessness. “Sunday was cheat day and I went overboard. I am allergic to tea, rice and potatoes and binged on it.”However, the two-film-old actress is excited to be in the remake of a film she’d watched with her mother and grandmother. The latter is a huge fan of Sanjeev Kumar and watches his films religiously. “Even back then, I had doubled up with laughter in almost every scene,” she reminisces, admitting she watched it again after she was signed for the modern-day version. She was, however, surprised when she was approached to play the ‘woh’ because she saw herself more as the ‘patni’. “Even my friends agree on that because of my sweet, soft image,” she coos.
When she read the script, though, she realised that Tapasya Singh wasn’t the typical vamp or home-breaker but a confident, hardworking girl who finds herself in a sticky situation. “The challenge drew me to her,” she informs, making the first call to dad Chunky after the narration. “His comic timing is impeccable and I hope I have inherited that gene,” she crosses her fingers.
Pati Patni Aur Woh is a comic take on extra-marital relationships. What advice would Ananya give Tapasya? “I’d tell her to not interfere in someone’s relationship. If that person wanted to be with you, they would not keep you hanging. So, what’s the point of hurting everyone around you,” the actress sermonises.
Remind her that we live in the times of Tinder where hookups are part of our culture and promiscuity the name of the game, and she is quick to rush to the defence of her generation. “If you want to be loyal, you will be loyal, no matter what. Relationships have changed a lot but it’s still about two people,” Ananya reasons, sounding wiser than her 21 years.
Where does this maturity come from? “I am a romantic person, I love being in love. I’m in love with the idea of love. I have had my fair share of relationships. It’s normal and one shouldn’t judge me for it because in school you have many short-short relationships, you know. I started working from a young age and have matured a lot in the past year.”
Is she in a relationship currently? The actress chuckles, “I can’t tell you everything. Where’s the fun in that.” When you quip that her answer implies something’s cooking, she murmurs, “My life is so public already, I want to keep some things private.”
So, what if she found herself in a relationship with someone like Kartik Aaryan’s Chintu Tyagi? Ananya pauses for a beat and asks if you mean Kartik, the person, or his character. When you clarify, she proceeds. “It’s okay to be attracted to other people but not to the point where your partner gets uncomfortable. I can’t ever deal with a boyfriend or husband like Chintu Tyagi. I’m very loyal and I expect the same,” she asserts. And what about Kartik, the person? “By now everyone knows I had a huge crush on him. I used to think he’s cute, now having worked with him, I find him to be cuter. He’s a lovely person and we have a blast whenever we are together,” she beams.
Most newbies wouldn’t want to debut with a two-heroine project and Ananya has followed up Student Of The Year 2 with another. “Imagine losing out on films because I am waiting for a solo actress project. Even if there are five actresses and I have a five-minute role which makes an impact, I’ll take it up,” she asserts. If she could pick and choose, who would be her Fantastic Five? “It would be so cool to have someone do a female version of Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara or Dil Chahta Hai with Suhana (Khan), Shanaya (Kapoor) and me!” she exclaims pointing out that Shanaya has worked as an Assistant Director with Karan Johar’s production house and is waiting to be launched as an actress while Suhana’s in New York finishing her course. “I’m excited about seeing her on the big screen too.”
Ananya and Shah Rukh Khan’s daughter were in the same school and drama club and even went to the New York Film Academy together. “Once we did The Tempest for our school’s Annual Day function. Suhana played the lead while I was one of the background characters. It was so much fun! All three of us used to play many acting games and movie quizzes,” she recalls. A reunion, is long overdue and one which she had promised in an interview to Mirror on her birthday. “I told so many people about the US trip that I jinxed it. Now, I plan to take off to Dubai,” she reveals.
Though she’s away from her childhood buddies, Ananya has a friend in sister, Rysa. “She’s in that awkward teenage phase where she doesn’t walk up to me but posts things about my film on the social media, asking her friends to watch it. In fact, Student Of The Year was one of the few Hindi films she’d watched and she was more excited than me about the sequel. At my screening of SOTY 2, we had to reserve two rows for her friends,” she laughs.
Does Rysa have Bollywood dreams too? Ananya’s voice fills with pride as she says, “I don’t know about acting but she’s very creative and good at sports too.” And does she plan to return to college for another stint as a student? “I’m getting so much hands-on experience working in films and since this is what I want to pursue, I don’t see the point,” she reasons, saying for now, she’s happy working on Khaali Peeli that allows her to be the night owl that she is. “I can stay awake till 8 am rather than wake up early. Plus, most of my friends are in the US and this way I can connect with them at the right time,” she chortles. So, despite the hectic schedule and the sore throat, li’l Ms Panday is in a happy space.
Images: Kartik Aaryan offers his mooch to birthday girl Ananya Panday
8:01 AM
Akash Bhatnagar (MUMBAI MIRROR; October 31, 2019)
After pack-up, Ananya Panday arrived at her suburban residence on Tuesday midnight, only to walk into a surprise party to bring in her 21st birthday. Rysa, the actress’s younger sister, had decorated the house, and there was a variety of cakes and dishes. The whole family partied through the night.
The next morning, the birthday girl cut a cake the paparazzi had got for her, before heading for dance rehearsals for a song in her upcoming film, Pati Patni Aur Woh. After that she dashed off to shoot for Nach Baliye with co-stars Kartik Aaryan and Bhumi Pednekar.
“Ananya was excited to spend her birthday with Raveena (Tandon) and Govinda. They cut a cake on the sets as well,” a source informed, adding that Kartik’s character in their film sports a moustache. “As a gift, he offered Ananya a chance to shave it off, which she was happy to accept,” laughs the source, saying the day ended with a quiet family dinner for Ananya and Co.
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