Ananya Panday, unlike many of her contemporaries from Bollywood’s star-studded lineage, has firmly established herself as a formidable talent in the film industry. Her latest performance in “Kho Gaye Hum Kahan” (2023) has been met with applause, further cementing her status as an actress of note. As the buzz around her career continues to grow, fans eagerly anticipate the release of her thriller film “CTRL,” directed by the acclaimed Vikramaditya Motwane, which is currently in post-production and slated for an October release. Meanwhile, Panday is actively engaged in promoting her debut streaming series, the comedy-drama “Call Me Bae.”

Panday’s career trajectory has been marked by a series of notable projects. Her debut in “Student of the Year 2” left a significant mark at the box office and on audiences alike. However, not all her ventures have been smooth sailing. One such challenging experience was with the sports action drama “Liger” (2022), directed by Puri Jagannadh and co-starring Vijay Deverakonda. This bilingual film, shot in both Hindi and Telugu, represented a crossover project for both Panday and Deverakonda – it was Deverakonda’s Bollywood debut and Panday’s introduction to Tollywood.

Despite being produced on a substantial budget exceeding Rs 100 crore, “Liger” failed to meet expectations, grossing only Rs 56.18 crore worldwide according to industry tracker Sacnilk. The film faced harsh criticism for its execution, lack of originality, and underlying misogynistic tones. This criticism was echoed by Panday herself, who recently shared her discomfort with certain aspects of her character’s dialogue during a discussion with Sucharita Tyagi. Panday revealed that she voiced her concerns to the filmmakers, expressing that she was not comfortable with many lines scripted for her role.

Reflecting on the broader societal context, Panday emphasized the importance of using her platform to advocate for crucial issues. She acknowledged the pervasive influence of media and technology, stating, “The way we are exposed to things now, where you feel like it’s on your phone but it’s also so much more… I don’t know how to label it. It’s bad out there.” As a young Gen-Z individual, she feels a strong responsibility to stand up for what she believes is right, particularly emphasizing women’s safety in India. Her stance is clear: while one doesn’t need to champion every cause, it is essential to stand firm on significant issues.

Panday further elaborated on her approach to selecting roles, stating that she applies a critical lens when reading scripts. “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 remarked. Highlighting her sense of duty as a woman in the industry, she insists on advocating for appropriate representation. She shared an instance from “Liger” where she communicated her discomfort with certain dialogues and was successful in having them altered.

As for her current ventures, “Call Me Bae” is set to premiere on Amazon Prime Video on Friday, September 6. The series features an ensemble cast including Vir Das, Gurfateh Pirzada, Varun Sood, and Vihaan Samat, and spans eight episodes. The show is created by Ishita Moitra and directed by Colin D’Cunha.

Stay tuned for more updates on Ananya Panday’s upcoming projects and other entertainment news. For the latest headlines from India and around the world, visit The Indian Express.