Ananya Panday Opens Up About Paparazzi: “I Hate When They Read Into My Moods”

The ‘CTRL’ Actress Reflects on Paparazzi Culture, Gym Moments, and How the Media Creates Stories About Her Life

Paparazzi culture in Bollywood has become a widely debated topic, with celebrities taking varied stances on being constantly under the media’s lens. While some stars have made peace with the attention, others find it intrusive and unsettling. Recently, Bollywood actors Saif Ali Khan and Janhvi Kapoor voiced their concerns about the issue. Following their lead, actress Ananya Panday has now shared her own experiences with the paparazzi.

In a conversation with Netflix India during the promotions of her latest release CTRL, Ananya spoke candidly about what bothers her most about paparazzi interactions. While she clarified that she doesn’t mind being photographed, she admitted to disliking certain aspects of the process.

One of her biggest frustrations? Posing. “I hate when they ask me to look back and pose,” she said. The CTRL star also mentioned that paparazzi often take pictures from behind and ask social media users to guess who the celebrity is, a practice that makes her uncomfortable.

Recalling a recent encounter after a gym session, Ananya shared how a seemingly innocent moment turned into a rumor mill. After a tough workout, paparazzi snapped photos of her looking tired, which led to speculation about her personal life. “They said I looked sad because I had just gone through a breakup. I was like, ‘First of all, you try lifting 170 kgs and doing deadlifts, then we’ll talk!’” she joked, adding that she was simply exhausted from the workout.

The 25-year-old Student of the Year 2 actress explained that everyone looks drained after hitting the gym, but the media often exaggerates her facial expressions, creating stories about her mood and relationships. “I really don’t like when they read into how I’m feeling,” Ananya said, expressing frustration with the narratives that emerge from her candid, post-gym snapshots.

Her views align with those of Mr. and Mrs. Mahi star Janhvi Kapoor, who also spoke out about her discomfort with being photographed from unflattering angles. Kapoor revealed in an interview with Hauterrfly that she had to remind paparazzi to be mindful of how they shoot her during public appearances, and that the photographers have since been more respectful.

Ananya Panday’s latest project, the cyber-thriller CTRL, premiered on Netflix on October 4, 2024.