The father-daughter duo reflects on their professional disagreements and the lessons learned from a career-defining flop.
Success and setbacks are part of every actor’s journey, and for Ananya Panday, the failure of Liger became a moment of self-reflection and candid admissions. In a recent interview on We Are Yuvaa’s YouTube channel, Ananya and her father, veteran actor Chunky Panday, discussed their relationship, professional differences, and the fallout from the much-anticipated film that failed to resonate at the box office.
A Career Low Point and a Family Dispute
Ananya did not hold back as she admitted to “cursing” her father for influencing her decision to take on Liger. The film, which also starred Vijay Deverakonda, was one of the most talked-about releases of the year but turned out to be a major disappointment both critically and commercially. “We are not doing a film together again,” Ananya declared during the interview, highlighting how deeply the failure impacted her.
Chunky Panday, known for his lighthearted persona, explained that he believed in taking risks and encouraged his daughter to do the film. However, Ananya’s response was firm: “No, you are not allowed to give me advice after Liger.”
Contrasting Film Choices
The conversation also touched upon the stark differences in their cinematic preferences. Chunky, whose career in the 80s and 90s was marked by mainstream commercial films, shared that he often advises Ananya based on his experiences. “We have had the maximum arguments at home on what kind of films she should do,” he revealed.
Ananya acknowledged that commercial films had always been her first love. “The kind of movies I watched were those commercial films, and I still love those; I would still love to be a part of those, but that was all I could see. I didn’t know there was anything else,” she said.
A Shift in Perspective
The turning point for Ananya came with her role in Shakun Batra’s Gehraiyaan, where she starred alongside Deepika Padukone and Siddhant Chaturvedi. The film, with its nuanced storytelling, opened her eyes to the creative possibilities of cinema. “It exposed me to a more creative side of filmmaking and made me introspect as an actor,” she shared.
Looking Ahead
Despite the setbacks, Ananya continues to push forward with an exciting slate of projects. She was last seen in Vikramaditya Motwane’s critically acclaimed CTRL and will next appear in an untitled film based on the life of C. Sankaran Nair, alongside Akshay Kumar and R. Madhavan. Additionally, she has Chand Mera Dil, co-starring Lakshya, in the pipeline.
A Lesson in Resilience
Ananya Panday’s candid conversation with her father offered a rare glimpse into the challenges and disagreements that come with navigating a career in Bollywood. For the Call Me Bae actress, every setback is a stepping stone to growth. And for Chunky Panday, it’s a reminder that even veteran actors can learn something new from the younger generation.
