I don't let trolling affect me significantly: Ananya Pandey

Actress Ananya Pandey is excited as her next movie, Dream Girl 2, alongside Ayushmann Khurrana, is set to release this Friday in theaters. Prior to the film's release, Adgully had the opportunity to interview Ananya.

Reflecting on her earliest impression of a Dream Girl, Ananya says: "It has to be Hema Malini-ji - she embodies beauty and grace. The entire industry recognizes her as the Dream Girl. Interestingly, when the first installment of Dream Girl was released in 2019, it was also my debut year. Ayushmann Khurrana's performance in the film is outstanding. I've always found director Raaj Shaandilyaa to be incredibly talented and had a desire to collaborate with him. Upon hearing the script narration, I instantly fell in love with it and wanted to be a part of the project."

But do you ever feel overshadowed by Ayushmann stealing the spotlight? "Not at all, because I've been part of films in the past that featured two heroines. Ayushmann is exceptionally talented, and he's an actor who never overdoes anything. Particularly in this film, there was potential for imbalance, but he executed it beautifully. He's quite courageous to take on this role."

Ananya also notes the positive impact of recent successes like "Rock Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahanii," "Gadar 2," and "OMG 2" on the industry. She expresses, "I'm thrilled that audiences are returning to theaters. I thoroughly enjoyed watching 'Rocky Aur Rani' on the big screen. Due to my promotional commitments, I haven't had the chance to see the other two films, but I plan to do so soon."

Ananya, who commenced her career in 2019, faced interruptions due to the pandemic and subsequent lockdowns. How did she cope during this phase? "The entire world came to a halt! I understand it was for the greater good, but personally, it was quite jarring. I had just embarked on my career when everything became uncertain. However, I chose to view it positively and utilized the time to watch films. It was akin to attending an acting school."

"Gehraiyaan" was a pivotal film that altered Ananya Pandey's perception within the industry. Reflecting on this, she reveals, "Since childhood, I aspired to become an actress, and I enjoyed my work thus far in my career. Then came 'Gehraiyaan,' which truly immersed me in acting. Collaborating with a director like Shakun Batra was an incredible experience. Working with Deepika Padukone made me more accountable for my craft. The film demanded substantial preparation to grasp the characters. After 'Gehraiyaan,' there was no looking back."

With a substantial Instagram fanbase, Ananya aimed to present her authentic self on social media. "I have a long journey ahead in my career. I don't let trolling affect me significantly. Constructive criticism is something I value."

Discussing her dream role, Ananya shares, "I'm not sure about a specific dream role (smiles), but I'd love to work in a film like 'Black Swan,' where I can explore dance-related elements. I'm keen on projects involving dance forms like Bharatnatyam and Kathak."

Ananya's close friend Suhana Khan, daughter of superstar Shah Rukh Khan, is poised to make her debut with "Archies," and Ananya is genuinely excited. She remarks, "I've witnessed her acting talent, and now the world should have the chance to see it too." Is there a sense of competition? "Certainly, there will be competition, but it will be healthy rivalry."