Ananya Panday Reflects on 2024: From Trolling to Triumph

With ‘Call Me Bae’ and ‘CTRL,’ the actress earns newfound respect as she embraces her growth and evolving stardom in the digital age.

Ananya Panday, who stepped into Bollywood at just 18, has endured her share of criticism, especially for her early performances. However, the actress recently shared that public perception toward her has shifted significantly. With her notable performances in the hit web series Call Me Bae and the film CTRL, Ananya believes audiences are now taking her seriously as an actor.

In a candid interview with Grazia India, the 26-year-old opened up about how 2024 has been a transformative year in her career. “With CTRL and Call Me Bae coming out, I feel that people are finally taking me a lot more seriously as an actor. I shot both the projects last year, so this year has been all about watching the fruits of my labor come to life,” she said.

Beyond her professional growth, Ananya also revealed that 2024 marks a personal milestone for her. She shared how she has grown more comfortable in her own skin, embracing self-acceptance after the challenges of her early 20s.

The actress, known for choosing films that tackle contemporary issues like the impact of social media and AI, also reflected on the evolving definition of stardom. “Earlier, you would use the word ‘star’ to describe a popular actor, but with so many platforms, people are now social media stars in their own right,” Ananya explained.

Despite the shift, she acknowledged that the magic of traditional stardom remains intact. “Superstars will always have that aura. People will always be starstruck, and honestly, so will I,” she admitted.

For those unfamiliar with her journey, Ananya debuted in Bollywood with Student Of The Year 2 alongside Tara Sutaria and Tiger Shroff. She has since appeared in a range of films, including Pati Patni Aur Woh, Gehraiyaan, Kho Gaye Hum Kahan, Dream Girl 2, and Liger.

Her most recent project, Vikramaditya Motwane’s CTRL, saw her starring opposite Vihaan Samat, earning widespread acclaim. Looking ahead, Ananya has an exciting slate of films, including a Dharma Productions project with Akshay Kumar and R. Madhavan, inspired by the life of C. Sankaran Nair, and Chand Mera Dil alongside Lakshya.

With 2024 marking a turning point in both her career and personal life, Ananya Panday is proving that growth, resilience, and hard work can change the narrative for any star.