In the forthcoming episode of Starry Nights GEN Y, director Punit Malhotra and actor Ananya Panday agree that she learnt not only acting but also how to get her way during SOTY 2. By Team Viva
I really believe in making people smile and even giving back some love to haters,” says actor Ananya Panday who became the favourite target of trolls recently for her views on nepotism during the Rajeev Masand Show. Her reaction towards nasty memes, trolls and hilarious social media imitations is in keeping with the 20-year old’s Instagram bio description of herself as a ‘serial chiller’. The coolest new student of Bollywood Academy will soon be seen in the forthcoming episode of Starry Nights GEN Y. The show hosts candid conversations with Bollywood’s Gen Y celebrities about their personal and professional lives. It also shares the gossip doing the rounds of the Bollywood world.
The actor will confess the names of her biggest competition from B-town and reveal nuggets from her journey to fame with host and trade analyst Komal Nahta.
When it is a chat show about Zen Y, Ananya is a natural fit as she doesn’t shy away from speaking her heart out. A quick teaser, she pointed out three things she would learn or swap with actor Suhana Khan, she says, “I would like to learn dancing and acting skills from her. Not only this, I would love to swap my closet with her too.”
Ananya will be accompanied by her mentor and the Student Of The Year 2 and I Hate Luv Stories director Punit Malhotra. And this made her remember all the things connected with her co-actors and from the sets.
Talking about the preparation involved the film, Ananya shares, “When I auditioned for SOTY 2, Punit thought I’m very quiet. He said that ‘we want to be bold and outspoken like Shreya’, (her character in SOTY 2.) So he would call me to Dharma’s office every day and make me yell and hurl abuses to the point where I actually became that person.”
Talking about the three biggest transformations in her, Punit reveals, “She opened up quite a bit, she learnt how to stand in front of the camera and be diplomatic to get her way around things.” To which Ananya instantly retorts, “I learnt that from Punit.”
He also shares how Ananya broke down on the sets of the film because she felt that the shot didn’t take place the way it was planned. He says, “When I took Ananya aside to have a chat with her, tears were rolling down her cheeks and she said that she would not shoot the introduction for the film”.
The duo are candid about how the director is extremely protective about her. On currently being single, Ananya says, “Punit wouldn’t let anyone hit on me because he keeps telling people that she is in her diapers, she is a baby, she is two years old.”
When asked what alternative role would her SOTY 2 co-star (Tiger Shroff) play if not an actor, Ananya says, “Tiger could be a great motivational speaker because whenever I would feel low or down, he would make me feel good instantly.”
If given an opportunity, the actor would love to work with Dharma productions. “I have literally grown up watching their films. It would be like a dream come true”, says she talking about her aspirations and future in the industry.
The actor will be seen sharing her behind-the-scenes pranks with Tiger, why she cried in her introduction shot and much more during the show.
(The show will stream on Zee Café and Zee Café HD on April 19 at 10 pm).