In a rare moment of insight into Bollywood’s evolving narrative around nepotism, filmmaker Anurag Kashyap has weighed in with an unexpected shoutout—to none other than Ananya Panday. And the reason? According to Kashyap, a single viral comment from Siddhant Chaturvedi in 2019 may have flipped a switch in the young actor, sparking what he believes is a significant transformation in her career trajectory.
In a new interview with The Juggernaut, Anurag Kashyap was asked about his favourite “nepo babies.” His picks included Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Ananya Panday, and Ayan Mukerji. But it was Ananya who caught the filmmaker’s deeper attention. Referring to the now-infamous moment from Rajeev Masand’s 2019 roundtable, Kashyap said, “Long back in an interview, Siddhant Chaturvedi had said, ‘our struggles end where yours begin,’ and she took it very personally. Something altered inside her because she changed after that.”
Kashyap noted that the shift in Ananya Panday wasn’t merely emotional—it clearly showed in her film choices. He pointed to her performances in CNTRL, Kho Gaye Hum Kahan, and Gehraiyaan as evidence of a significant transformation. According to him, something changed within her, setting her on a journey of self-discovery. He appreciated her willingness to take creative risks, highlighting her maturity and experimental approach, and contrasted it with others in the industry who tend to play it safe.
What did Siddhant Chaturvedi really say?
To rewind, the 2019 exchange between Ananya Panday and Siddhant Chaturvedi during a roundtable with Rajeev Masand had gone viral. When Panday spoke about her father, Chunky Panday, never having starred in a Dharma film or being invited to Koffee With Karan, she noted that people underestimate the struggles of star kids. Siddhant, then a breakout star from Gully Boy, responded pointedly: “Everybody has their own struggles. The only difference is that where our dreams get fulfilled, their struggle begins.” However, later in an interview with Film Companion, Siddhant shared that the interview served as an ice-breaker and marked the beginning of their friendship. Interestingly, right after this, they have worked together in Gehraiyaan and Kho Gaye Hum Kahan.
What is Ananya Panday upto?
Meanwhile, Ananya Panday is currently shooting for Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri, a romantic drama opposite Kartik Aaryan. The Dharma Productions film is slated for a 2026 release.
Anurag Kashyap, on the other hand, will be seen acting in Dacoit, a high-octane action film co-starring Adivi Sesh and Mrunal Thakur, set to hit theatres on December 25, 2025. Meanwhile, Siddhant Chaturvedi is gearing up for Dhadak 2 and Dil Ka Darwaaza Khol Na Darling.
In a new interview with The Juggernaut, Anurag Kashyap was asked about his favourite “nepo babies.” His picks included Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Ananya Panday, and Ayan Mukerji. But it was Ananya who caught the filmmaker’s deeper attention. Referring to the now-infamous moment from Rajeev Masand’s 2019 roundtable, Kashyap said, “Long back in an interview, Siddhant Chaturvedi had said, ‘our struggles end where yours begin,’ and she took it very personally. Something altered inside her because she changed after that.”
Kashyap noted that the shift in Ananya Panday wasn’t merely emotional—it clearly showed in her film choices. He pointed to her performances in CNTRL, Kho Gaye Hum Kahan, and Gehraiyaan as evidence of a significant transformation. According to him, something changed within her, setting her on a journey of self-discovery. He appreciated her willingness to take creative risks, highlighting her maturity and experimental approach, and contrasted it with others in the industry who tend to play it safe.
What did Siddhant Chaturvedi really say?
To rewind, the 2019 exchange between Ananya Panday and Siddhant Chaturvedi during a roundtable with Rajeev Masand had gone viral. When Panday spoke about her father, Chunky Panday, never having starred in a Dharma film or being invited to Koffee With Karan, she noted that people underestimate the struggles of star kids. Siddhant, then a breakout star from Gully Boy, responded pointedly: “Everybody has their own struggles. The only difference is that where our dreams get fulfilled, their struggle begins.” However, later in an interview with Film Companion, Siddhant shared that the interview served as an ice-breaker and marked the beginning of their friendship. Interestingly, right after this, they have worked together in Gehraiyaan and Kho Gaye Hum Kahan.
What is Ananya Panday upto?
Meanwhile, Ananya Panday is currently shooting for Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri, a romantic drama opposite Kartik Aaryan. The Dharma Productions film is slated for a 2026 release.
Anurag Kashyap, on the other hand, will be seen acting in Dacoit, a high-octane action film co-starring Adivi Sesh and Mrunal Thakur, set to hit theatres on December 25, 2025. Meanwhile, Siddhant Chaturvedi is gearing up for Dhadak 2 and Dil Ka Darwaaza Khol Na Darling.
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