Actor Ananya Panday is set to make her web series debut with the upcoming show Call Me Bae, marking a significant step in her career as she strives to break free from the stereotypes that have long shaped her image in the film industry.
In an interview with PTI, Panday discussed her desire to challenge the perception both audiences and the industry have of her. “When you start with a certain kind of film, people put you in a box and expect the same thing from you,” Panday said. “I’m fighting the perception of what the audience thinks of me and the kind of work I get within the industry.”
The actor, who first rose to fame with her 2019 debut in Student of the Year 2, believes that having the power to say “no” to roles that reinforce certain stereotypes is crucial for her growth as an actor. “Sometimes saying no is more important than yes because that defines you as an actor and a person,” she explained. “You can be scared that, ‘Oh, this is such a big opportunity, what if I say no?’ But in the long term, it does well because you are not feeding into a stereotype.”
Call Me Bae, directed by Collin D’Cunha and created by Ishita Moitra, is set to premiere on Prime Video on September 6. The series follows Bae, a privileged young woman from New Delhi who is disowned by her family, embarking on a journey from riches to rags. Panday described the role as a “dream” opportunity, offering her a complex character with many layers to explore.
“They sent me eight episodes in a go, and when I read it, I felt, ‘I could die to be part of this,’” she recalled. “There’s a full journey, and the audience goes through everything with her.”
Panday also reflected on the transition from her recent projects, including Vikramaditya Motwane’s cyber-thriller CTRL and the coming-of-age drama Kho Gaye Hum Kahan, to the light-hearted tone of Call Me Bae. “It was like a breath of fresh air,” she said, though it took some time to adjust to the different energy levels required for the role.
Call Me Bae also features an ensemble cast, including Vir Das, Gurfateh Pirzada, Varun Sood, and Mini Mathur, with executive production by Dharmatic Entertainment’s Karan Johar, Apoorva Mehta, and Somen Mishra.
