Ananya Panday is set to showcase a striking transformation in Kesari Chapter 2, a film set in the 1920s that required her to completely step away from her Gen Z identity. In a recent conversation on Bollywood Hungama’s Hangout at IFP, the actress opened up about the detailed physical and emotional preparation that went into crafting her period character.
Letting Go of Gen Z Traits for a Period Role
Portraying a woman from the 1920s demanded precision and restraint—qualities far removed from Ananya’s natural, high-energy personality. She revealed that even basic body language had to be reworked:
“I’m a 2025 Gen Z girl. I’m playing someone from the 1920s. She can’t move her hands like this or make a hundred expressions. There’s a certain way in which she had to talk and walk and be.”
The actress shared that mastering stillness was one of the biggest challenges. “For Kesari, I had to change the way I walked,” she said, adding that the character required a grace and composure that felt entirely different from her usual mannerisms.
Deep Character Work Beyond Dialogue Delivery
While dialogue coaching was part of the preparation, Ananya highlighted that the transformation ran much deeper. Everything—from posture to movement to micro-expressions—had to be approached with care to authentically depict a woman from a century ago.
The role demanded not just performance but discipline. The 1920s aesthetic required her to internalize a calmer, more deliberate presence—something she worked on extensively before stepping onto the set.
When Workshops Are Necessary — and When They’re Not
The discussion started with the question of whether every film requires workshops. Ananya explained that it depends entirely on the nature of the project.
For instance, her upcoming film with Kartik Aaryan, Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri, needed almost no rehearsals:
“That film required spontaneity and improvisation. If we over-rehearsed, our reactions wouldn’t be genuine.”
The duo barely read the script together more than once before filming, embracing spontaneity as a stylistic choice.
Films That Demand Deep Emotional Preparation
In contrast, projects with layered emotional landscapes—such as Kontrol, Kho Gaye Hum Kahan, Gehraiyaan, and now Kesari Chapter 2—required detailed workshops and character-building sessions.
“These films need work because there’s a big internal world the character is feeling,” Ananya said, emphasising that emotional depth often requires as much preparation as historical accuracy.
Jay-Ho Exclusive
With Kesari Chapter 2, Ananya Panday steps into one of the most demanding roles of her career—one that called for unlearning modern habits, embracing period authenticity, and crafting a character grounded in a different era’s rhythm. Her dedication highlights a growing maturity in her craft, signalling a performance that audiences are eagerly anticipating.
