Ananya Panday on competition in Bollywood: I love it, the more the merrier

Every year, a bunch of industry kids and newcomers make their way into Bollywood with a dream to make it big in the film industry, and, of course, to face endless comparison and competition. However, Ananya Panday, recently launched in Karan Johar’s Student of the Year 2, is not bothered by the competition. On the contrary, she loves it.

Read: Tiger Shroff, Ananya Panday, Tara Sutaria’s Student of the Year 2 leaked day after release

And when there are so many people working towards a common goal, Ananya feels the competition would be cutthroat and that’s even better. “I feel the more, the merrier. What’s the point of working if there is no competition? You work hard only when there is competition or else you tend to take things lightly,” she says.

The last year saw industry kids Janhvi Kapoor, Sara Ali Khan and Ishaan Khatter in major acting roles. The year 2019, after Pranutan Bahl in Notebook, has more names lined up, including Karan Deol (son of Sunny Deol), Vardhan Puri (grandson of Amrish Puri), Aalia Furniturewala (daughter of Pooja Bedi). There are also reports of Shah Rukh Khan’s daughter Suhana Khan making her film debut soon. Meanwhile, Sanjay Kapoor’s daughter Shanaya Kapoor has already began working as assistant director on cousin Janhvi’s next film. 

“I think it’s always exciting to have new people [around]. Everyone has a different approach towards how they work and that makes all the difference. Also, there’s work for everyone. There is nothing to think about such things. I need to concentrate on my work,” smiles Ananya, who will be seen next in Pati Patni Aur Woh, which also stars Kartik Aaryan and Bhumi Pednekar.

In her latest, the actor plays an opinionated college-going brat. Ananya shares she completely enjoyed playing the part. “I am very similar to Shreya, my character, in real life. I think every young girl would be able to relate to Shreya because she is feisty, spunky. She is loud and expressive. She is someone who is not afraid to make mistakes. I always wanted to play such a role… I loved Poo (Kareena Kapoor Khan’s character in Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham; 2001), Shanaya (Alia Bhatt’s character in Student of the Year; 2012) and Anjali (Kajol’s character in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai; 1998) and wanted to play such a character. Initially, I was a little shy but Punit (Malhotra, director) and Karan helped me bring the Shreya inside me out,” she shares.

Author tweets @Shreya_MJ

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