Bollywood actress Ananya Panday recently opened up about her struggles with feeling powerless as an actress, particularly when it comes to discussing sensitive topics like the MeToo movement. During her appearance at the India Today Mind Rocks Youth Summit 2024, she revealed how challenging it has been to address these issues openly due to social pressures and her own personal feelings of vulnerability.
Feeling Restricted in Her Role
Ananya Panday admitted that being an actress sometimes makes her feel constrained. “As an actress, I often feel helpless because I’m told not to get too political or to avoid certain topics,” she explained. She also mentioned that she can be easily influenced by others, which adds to her sense of frustration. This sense of being muzzled has made it difficult for her to speak out on important issues like MeToo.
Addressing MeToo Through ‘Call Me Bae’
Despite these challenges, Ananya is excited about her new web series, Call Me Bae, which she feels addresses the MeToo movement effectively. “In Call Me Bae, we delve into themes of women’s empowerment and the MeToo issue,” she said. “I don’t want to give away too much, but the show does touch on these important topics in a way that I haven’t been able to address in my personal life.” Ananya is pleased that through her work, she can contribute to raising awareness about issues she feels strongly about.
Balancing Personal Beliefs and Professional Choices
Ananya also shared her commitment to ensuring that her roles align with her personal values. She emphasized that she would never choose a role that goes against her own beliefs, due to the impact it could have on others. “I think it’s really important to be thoughtful about the projects I take on,” she said. She understands how easily people can be influenced and wants to be responsible for her choices.
Authenticity and Social Pressures
Discussing the pressures of speaking out, Ananya mentioned that while she doesn’t feel the need to comment on every issue, she is dedicated to supporting causes she cares about. Women’s safety, especially in India, is something she is passionate about, and she aims to address this through meaningful actions rather than just words.
Ananya Panday’s Upcoming Project
Aside from Call Me Bae, Ananya has several exciting projects lined up. One of her upcoming films is Vikramaditya Motwane’s CTRL, which explores the implications of living in a world where personal data holds significant power. The movie questions how much personal information one should share and what happens when that control is lost. She also has a project called Shankara in the works.
Overall, Ananya Panday is navigating her career with a sense of responsibility and a desire to make an impact through her work. Despite feeling restricted at times, she is committed to using her platform to address important social issues and stay true to her personal beliefs.
