Ananya Panday’s shift in choices is linked to Siddhant Chaturvedi’s subtle ‘struggle’ jab, says Anurag Kashyap

Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap has spoken about actor Ananya Panday’s noticeable transformation since Siddhant Chaturvedi’s sharp comment on privilege during a 2020 roundtable interview. At the time, Siddhant had said, “Our struggle begins where your privilege ends,” which many perceived as a direct jab at Ananya’s statement on nepotism.

In a recent conversation with The Juggernaut, Kashyap acknowledged that the moment may have deeply impacted Ananya. “I think she took it very personally,” he said. “Something altered inside her because there’s been a change in her since then.”

Kashyap, who described Ananya as one of his favourite star kids alongside Alia Bhatt, Ranbir Kapoor, and Ayan Mukerji, credited her for taking risks in her career. “She’s experimenting. She’s not playing it safe like others. She’s maturing and figuring herself out,” he said. He pointed to her roles in CTRL and Kho Gaye Hum Kahan as signs of that shift, saying the performances reflect a different approach.

According to him, it isn’t just the actors who struggle with image or choices. Kashyap believes Bollywood parents often interfere more than necessary in their children's careers. “More than the kids, it’s the parents. That instinct to protect and shape a ‘successful’ career is strong, but it can get in the way,” he noted. He added that children in the industry are often sharper than they’re given credit for, and should be allowed to figure things out independently.

Ananya, who started her Bollywood journey with Student of the Year 2, has faced her share of criticism for being a product of nepotism. Since then, however, she’s been consciously working to shift perceptions — taking up projects that require more from her as an actor and less from her last name.

Anurag’s words come at a time when many star kids are under increasing scrutiny. But in his view, Ananya is trying to break that mould. Whether it was Chaturvedi’s comment that triggered that shift or her own introspection, Kashyap says, “She’s doing great stuff — and that counts.”