Student of the Year 2, released in 2019, introduced Ananya Panday and Tara Sutaria to Bollywood alongside Tiger Shroff. While the film received a lukewarm response, the careers of the debutantes—especially Ananya—have shown significant evolution since then.
Ananya has impressed audiences with her recent performances in Kho Gaye Hum Kahan, CTRL, and the upcoming Kesari Chapter 2. During a candid chat with Lilly Singh on her podcast, Ananya opened up about her early struggles in the industry, especially the harsh body shaming she faced after her debut.
“I was 18 or 19 when I entered the industry and was quite thin. People mocked me for having ‘chicken legs’ and called me a ‘matchstick’ because of my physique,” she shared. “And now that my body is naturally changing with age, they accuse me of getting cosmetic work done. You just can’t win.”
Ananya pointed out the gender bias in body-related criticism, saying, “Women in the industry are constantly scrutinised. Men rarely face such comments.”
She also admitted Bollywood’s role in perpetuating unrealistic beauty standards, acknowledging that she, too, has been part of that narrative. “We show women waking up looking flawless, which is far from real. I try to be more authentic off-camera and use that space to strike a balance.”
Looking ahead, Ananya will be seen opposite Kill actor Lakshya in Chand Mera Dil, a film that fans are eagerly anticipating.
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