School Of Cool
Grazia|September 2019
At just 20, Ananya Panday is earning cred for her authenticity and her innate strength to carve her own career path.
Barry Rodgers
School Of Cool

Like most girls her age, Ananya Panday considers her bedroom to be her sanctuary. It’s where she disappears with her thoughts; where she writes, thinks and hides from the world. It hasn’t gone through too many decor changes over the years, but it’s probably an accurate manifestation of all that’s going on in her mind. She doesn’t spend too much time in there now, considering she lives out of a suitcase, and a vanity van. For the Student of the Year 2 star, life has come full circle. “Films have always been my escape. And no, it wasn’t because my dad (Chunky Panday) is a Bollywood star. My face lit up when a movie came on at home. I was really tiny when Hrithik Roshan burst onto the screen in Kaho Naa...Pyaar Hai. I fangirled just a little too hard. Hrithik, and a host of other Dharma films, gave me the kick-start I needed to put my plan of becoming an actor in action,” says the 20-year-old in the tone of a straight-A student faced with a pop quiz.

Panday’s appeal lies in her unique mix of talent and a strong self-belief – a result, perhaps, of a childhood that trained her to walk her own path. She’ll need to tap into these strengths to help her navigate a meteoric rise. “I remember my parents asking me to meet Karan (Johar) sir to figure out what I wanted to do. He told me about Student of the Year 2, and asked me to audition for it. I was over the moon when I landed the part,” she says.

ON HER ‘RIVALRY’ WITH TARA SUTARIA...

Panday was not the only actor to make her Bollywood debut with the film. The other star, Tara Sutaria, also shared screen space. “Before we started filming, Tara and myself were kept in seperate rooms during rehearsals on purpose. The crew would fill our ears with supposed rumours, trying to create animosity between us because we were playing rivals on screen. It didn’t work though.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة September 2019 من Grazia.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة September 2019 من Grazia.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

المزيد من القصص من GRAZIA مشاهدة الكل
More Than It Seams
Grazia India

More Than It Seams

Who says lace can’t be hewn from leather? Or that paper can’t sit on the body like a weathered old sweater? In a time of rampant production and boundless creativity, is material the final frontier for designers? When all else seems lost to the algorithm, fashion’s deceptive ingenuity requires us to look a little closer

time-read
5 mins  |
November 2024
Under The Needle
Grazia India

Under The Needle

With filler-face phasing out, we are embracing the natural aesthetic but not how you might expect it

time-read
5 mins  |
November 2024
BUILDING A LEGACY
Grazia India

BUILDING A LEGACY

Driven by passion and a commitment to quality, this brand is making a mark in the luxury furniture market with a perfect blend of local artistry and global design

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2024
A WALK DOWN FIFTH AVENUE
Grazia India

A WALK DOWN FIFTH AVENUE

From high fashion to historic landmarks, this coffee table book explores how Fifth Avenue became the heartbeat of New York's cultural and social scene

time-read
5 mins  |
November 2024
NO SEX, MO' PROBLEMS?
Grazia India

NO SEX, MO' PROBLEMS?

At a time when sex seems to be everywhere, women are experiencing a dip in their sexual desires. We find out why

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2024
TABLE FOR ONE, PLEASE
Grazia India

TABLE FOR ONE, PLEASE

In a world obsessed with couplegoals, here’s why taking yourself out for a date might just be the ultimate love story

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2024
THE DREAM CANVAS
Grazia India

THE DREAM CANVAS

In the city that wholeheartedly embraces its role as a global cultural hub, the second edition of Art Mumbai promises to redefine creativity and innovation

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2024
SPRING FORWARD
Grazia India

SPRING FORWARD

Of hits, misses, and everything in between this season at Lakmé Fashion Week x FDCI

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2024
LUST-WORTHY LUXURY LABELS
Grazia India

LUST-WORTHY LUXURY LABELS

To Light Up This Wedding Season

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2024
ICONIC DESIGN MEETS A MOBILE FUTURE
Grazia India

ICONIC DESIGN MEETS A MOBILE FUTURE

The new Dell XPS is designed for new age content creators and suave C-suite

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2024