Ananya Panday on Breaking Stereotypes: Her Hunger for Challenging Roles

“I’ve Tasted Blood”: When Ananya Panday Talked About Wanting More Challenging Roles

Ananya Panday, who made her acting debut in 2019 with Student of the Year 2, has grown steadily in the film industry. Over the years, she’s acted in movies like Gehraiyaan, CTRL, and Kesari Chapter 2, and has made a name for herself. In 2024, she spoke about how she now craves more serious and tough roles after getting a taste of them.

In an interview with Film Companion, Ananya shared her desire to do more meaningful work. She said, “Maybe earlier it was not very clear, but now I know for sure—I don’t want to be known just for looking glamorous. I want to do more. I’m hungry for better roles.” Referring to her past work in films like Pati Patni Aur Woh, CTRL, and shows like Call Me Bae, she added, “I’ve tasted blood now,” meaning she’s experienced the thrill of playing deeper characters and wants more of it.

She also said that she’s truly enjoying the process of diving deep into her roles. Ananya believes that if she limits herself as an actor, it wouldn’t just let her down—it would disappoint the women she represents on screen. She wants to tell their stories the right way.

Recently, Ananya was praised for her role in Kesari Chapter 2, where she played Dilreet Gill. The movie also starred Akshay Kumar and R. Madhavan and was directed by Karan Singh Tyagi. Released on April 18, 2025, the film earned around ₹81.50 crore in just three weeks.

Next, Ananya will appear in two upcoming movies: Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri and Chand Mera Dil. The first film pairs her with Kartik Aaryan and is set to release on February 13, 2026, directed by Sameer Vidwans. In Chand Mera Dil, a romantic drama, she stars alongside Kill actor Lakshya for the first time, with Vivek Soni directing.

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