Anurag Kashyap Praises Ananya Panday’s Growth, Says She Transformed After Siddhant Chaturvedi’s Nepotism Jibe

Anurag Kashyap Praises Ananya Panday’s Growth: “She’s Taking Risks and Not Playing It Safe.”

The ongoing debate around nepotism in Bollywood continues to spark strong opinions, but director Anurag Kashyap has offered a fresh perspective by praising actor Ananya Panday for her evolution in the industry. In a recent conversation with The Juggernaut, Kashyap named her among his favourite star kids, alongside Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, and Ayan Mukerji.

Reflecting on Ananya’s career trajectory, Kashyap said, “I think she has figured it out. A while back, Siddhant Chaturvedi had made a comment during an interview: ‘Our struggle begins where yours ends.’ I think she took it to heart — it sparked something in her. There was a noticeable change in her approach after that.”

He added, “Since then, I’ve watched her in Kho Gaye Hum Kahan, Gehraiyaan, and CNTRL. There’s a clear shift — she seems to have found a new sense of direction, or at least she’s on the path to discovering it. She’s choosing challenging roles, showing maturity, and most importantly, she’s not playing it safe.”

Kashyap’s remarks come at a time when the younger generation of actors, especially those with industry connections, are under increased public scrutiny. But with comments like these, it’s clear that Panday’s recent work has started to reshape how she’s perceived — both by audiences and filmmakers alike.