Ananya Panday, the rising star of Bollywood, has long been open about her deep-seated passion for the film industry. Influenced by iconic figures such as Kareena Kapoor Khan, Salman Khan, and Karisma Kapoor, Panday has nurtured her dreams of acting since childhood. Today, she continues to pay homage to her inspirations, even decorating her vanity van with images of her favourite stars.
In a recent interview with Mid-Day, the actress revealed a special tribute to her idols, noting that she has a picture of Karisma Kapoor prominently displayed on her vanity mirror. Alongside this, she has a framed image of herself with Salman Khan, and a memorable quote from Kareena Kapoor Khan’s iconic film Jab We Met: “Main Apni Favourite Hoon,” emphasizing her adoration for these Bollywood legends.
Panday’s admiration doesn’t stop with Kapoor and Khan; she is also a self-proclaimed “biggest fan” of Alia Bhatt. Reflecting on her time at school, she recalled how she would jokingly tell others that she attended “St. Teresa’s in Student of the Year 2,” a nod to Bhatt’s debut film. “To be in the same school as her is a big thing for me,” Ananya expressed, highlighting her awe for the National Award-winning actress.
Ananya fondly reminisced about her experiences during Bhatt’s rise to fame. She vividly remembers attending a screening of Student of the Year when she was just 14, sitting on the floor due to a lack of available seats. “When Alia came on screen as Shanaya, I was like, ‘I want to be her,’” Panday shared, admiring Bhatt’s authenticity and willingness to acknowledge her mistakes.
The actress, known for her role in Gehraiyaan, also spoke about her childhood passion for performance. She fondly recounted dressing up as Kareena Kapoor and eagerly performing dance routines at birthday parties, often unprompted. “I think it came from the fact that my dad had this video camera, and I could see myself,” she recalled. For Ananya, the desire to be in front of the camera has always been intrinsic to her identity, marking her journey toward becoming an actress.
With her dedication to her craft and the influence of her idols, Ananya Panday continues to carve out her place in Bollywood, driven by a lifelong love for the industry that has shaped her aspirations.
