YOU HAVE TO BE NEUTRAL IN BOTH SUCCESS AND FAILURE: ANANYA

Says ANANYA PANDAY to SONALI PITALE JOSHI about link-up talk with Kartik Aaryan, taking her father’s legacy forward, her upcoming films and more

Ananya Panday, veteran actor Chunky Panday’s daughter made her Bollywood debut earlier this year with Karan Johar’s Student of The Year 2. And her recent release Pati Patni Aur Woh is currently putting up a tough fight against the historical drama Panipat. Here she speaks about Pati Patni Aur Woh, doing comedy films and more. Excerpts from the interview:

Why made you say yes this film?

Comedy and romance genres are my favourite and because of my dad comedy has always been important of my life. It is very exciting that I am taking his legacy forward. I had to learn to speak slowly for this role. I tend to make lot of expressions and use my hand while talking. I had to behave slightly older because my character is bit older...she is a business woman, who has come to Kanpur for work. I had to be more lady like while playing this role.

How has your life change after Student of the Year 2?

After Student of The Year 2, I got a lot of love from kids and young girls...which feels nice. I remember when I had seen the first Student of the Year, I became a strong and loyal fan of Alia Bhatt...till date she is my favourite actress. I just hope to get a fans like that...who grow with me and see my journey. Many people appreciated the work I did. Before the film it was all about the way I looked and about being Chunky Panday’s daughter, which I am still very proud of. Post the debut film people now know me for my performance, which makes any actor happy. Lot of people are asking me to stick to bubbly roles, but there are hardly any scripts in that zone...though I enjoy it a lot.

You have performed on the song reboot of the veteran actor Govinda’s hit song Aankhiyo Se Goli. Do you remember meeting him as a child?

Actually, we never used to go on the sets when we were younger. But I remember once we did go on the sets and Govinda sir was there too. I was three years old I guess when I met him, I don’t remember much, but there are lot of pictures of us together. We had gone to Nach Baliye’s sets for promotion and he was one of the judges on the show. My dad has always been connected to Govinda and I am glad to have that little connection now.

Who is you inspiration in the film industry?

Alia has always inspired me. She has taught me not be scared, she has taken it all in her stride, she has always joked about her mistakes. She is the first one to laugh at herself. I think that is an amazing quality to have that is what I want to be for other girls in future.

Any special advice you got from your father?

He told me recently that it is not how you deal with failure, but how you deal with your success is important. It shows the kind of person you are. When you achieve success at a young age, you get carried away, people start treating you as a star...everyone puts you on a pedestal. You have to be neutral, whether it is success or failure. Whatever the situation is, it will change. More than him giving any advise I have seen it all...how he dealt with the situations in life.

Was it easier to have a chemistry with Kartik Aaryan?

Yes, it is always easy to have a chemistry with the person who you know...who you are friends with, because you get along with them so well. He is a very selfless person, he always thinks about doing the scene better and not about how his performance will stand out in it. He is a fun person and always makes us laugh. I love spending time with him. I just had a great time shooting with him. I don’t take rumours about us seriously. People are saying me and him are dating that doesn’t mean, I am going to stop spending time with him. People will keep talking about these things, but I will do what just I want to do.

What next after this?

My next is called Khali Peeli, which is an intense romantic film. Ishaan Khattar is so much fun and whenever he comes on the set it is as if a storm has entered. If people think I talk a lot you should watch him. In the film I speak typical Bambaiya lingo, which I had to learn. When you separate yourself from the person you are then it becomes interesting. In that film I feel completely uninhibited...I am doing anything and getting away with it. The film is being shot at night. In my first film Tiger Shroff would sleep at 10 so we never did night shoots. So for me it was challenging to shoot this entire film at night.