Anurag Kashyap Publicly Praises Ananya Panday, Citing a Significant Shift in Her Career Trajectory
Veteran filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, known for championing raw talent and unconventional narratives in Indian cinema, recently described actor Ananya Panday nepo kid as one of his favourites among Bollywood’s star children. In a candid conversation with The Juggernaut, Kashyap noted that Ananya has undergone a noticeable transformation over the past few years. He believes this change was sparked by a now-famous exchange with actor Siddhant Chaturvedi, which led her to reassess her career choices.
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Filmmaker Believes Siddhant Chaturvedi’s Viral Comment Triggered Self-Awareness in the Young Actress
Anurag Kashyap didn’t hold back in his praise, calling out several successful star kids including Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, and Ayan Mukerji. However, he gave special attention to Ananya Panday nepo kid, pointing to her shift in performance depth and selection of scripts. He stated:
“I think she has figured it out. Siddhant once said, ‘Our struggles end where yours begin.’ She took that very personally. Something changed inside her. I noticed it in her performances in CTRL, Kho Gaye Hum Kahan, and Gehraiyaan. She’s not playing it safe like others. She’s maturing, experimenting, and evolving with each role.”
According to Kashyap, this moment of introspection brought clarity and a new direction in Ananya’s professional life. It marked a clear departure from her earlier mainstream image.
Kashyap Criticizes Overprotective Parenting Among Star Kids, Says It Often Hinders Real Growth
While acknowledging the privileges that come with being a star kid, Anurag Kashyap emphasized that the real issue lies with the parents of these actors. According to him, many industry veterans try to steer their children’s careers out of concern, which ends up limiting their artistic growth. He elaborated:
“More than the kids themselves, it’s the parents. Their protective instincts kick in. They think: ‘I know what’s best for my child.’ But that’s where things go wrong. Kids need to make their own mistakes and choices.”
This statement highlights the larger debate surrounding nepotism in Bollywood, which Kashyap believes needs more nuanced discussion and less blame-shifting.
Flashback: The 2019 Roundtable That Sparked the Nepotism Debate Between Siddhant and Ananya
Flashback: The 2019 Roundtable That Sparked the Nepotism Debate Between Siddhant and AnanyaThe conversation that many believe catalyzed Ananya’s transformation happened during a 2019 actor roundtable hosted by Rajeev Masand. During the discussion, Ananya Panday nepo kid acknowledged that her industry access came from being actor Chunky Panday’s daughter. However, she defended her right to pursue opportunities, stating:
“Just because I’m an actor’s daughter, I’m not going to say no to an opportunity. My dad hasn’t been in a Dharma film. He hasn’t gone on Koffee With Karan. So it’s not as easy as people think.”
Her comments were met with criticism for appearing tone-deaf. Siddhant Chaturvedi offered a curt yet powerful rebuttal:
“Everyone has their own struggles. The difference is, where our dreams get fulfilled, their struggle begins.”
This moment went viral and was widely seen as a mic-drop moment that underscored the disparities between industry insiders and outsiders.
Despite Online Backlash, Ananya Took the Criticism Constructively and Focused on Growth
Though the exchange attracted social media backlash, Ananya later addressed the issue in various interviews, including on Janice Sequeira’s talk show. She admitted the comment stung at the time, but it eventually became a turning point in her life.
“Maybe I didn’t express myself well. I understood what Siddhant meant and agreed with him. It made me reflect.”
The duo’s on-screen chemistry in films like Gehraiyaan and Kho Gaye Hum Kahan suggests that the incident didn’t harm their friendship. Both actors later confirmed that they moved past the exchange and respected each other’s journey.
From Rom-Coms to Psychological Thrillers: Ananya Panday’s Shift Toward More Risk-Taking Roles
Post-2019, Ananya Panday’s choice of roles shifted drastically. After debuting in light-hearted films like Student of the Year 2, she embraced more complex roles in Gehraiyaan (2022), Kho Gaye Hum Kahan (2023), and the soon-to-release CTRL. Her performances in these films earned her critical recognition, with many noting her growth as a serious actor.
She also headlined the Amazon Prime Video series Call Me Bae, proving her versatility in the digital space. These choices indicate a conscious effort to move beyond the tag of Ananya Panday nepo kid and build a legacy of her own.
Upcoming Films Suggest the Actor Is Committed to Expanding Her Artistic Range
Currently, Ananya Panday is shooting for Tu Meri Main Tera, a romantic drama opposite Kartik Aaryan under Dharma Productions. The film is scheduled for a 2026 release and promises to be another step forward in her evolving career.
Anurag Kashyap, meanwhile, is acting in Dacoit, an action drama that features Adivi Sesh and Mrunal Thakur. It is expected to hit theatres on December 25, 2025.
With these upcoming projects, both Kashyap and Panday remain key players in shaping modern Hindi cinema.
Ananya Panday Is Gradually Outgrowing the Nepotism Label Through Talent and Self-Awareness
In a fiercely competitive industry where nepotism continues to dominate headlines, Ananya Panday nepo kid is proving that talent, self-awareness, and resilience can override inherited privilege. With filmmakers like Anurag Kashyap vouching for her growth and bold choices, she is on track to becoming more than just a product of Bollywood lineage.
If her current trajectory continues, Ananya may soon join the ranks of actors who successfully transitioned from being typecast star kids to serious artists with individual identities.
