Ananya Panday Speaks about Creating a "Safe and Kind Space Online”

The Gen Z actor tells Cosmo in an exclusive chat how she deals with online trolls, why her friends call her “filmy” and why she is obsessed with food

26 July, 2021
Ananya Panday Speaks about Creating a "Safe and Kind Space Online”

Ananya Panday is no regular 21-year-old, with few impressive movies under her belt, she enjoys a huge following on social media (19.6 Million) and is a style icon in her own right. However, she is aware of the perils of the online space and how it affects youngsters—their impressionable minds and fragile egos. To tackle online bullying she launched her Digital Social Responsibility (DSR) initiative named So Positive. The aim of the initiative is to to build a community to create maximum awareness on social media bullying.

In an exclusive chat with Cosmo, Ananya who has collaborated with Fastrack for all-girls watch and bag collection under the FT X Ananya Panday series, gives us a sneak peek into her personal style, tells us why her friends call her filmy and how she deals with online bullying.   

Ananya Panday

Cosmo: Tell us about your association with Fastrack signature series?

Ananya Panday: “A brand like Fastrack is known for being a quirky, fun, cult youth brand and I wanted to be associated with a brand like this. The entire series of collections under the FT X Ananya Panday umbrella targets different kinds of personalities. Gen Z has varied facets to their personality and they are constantly on the lookout for fashion accessories that they can pair with multiple looks, this is where Fastrack fits in.”

Cosmo: While growing up did you always want to be an actor?

Ananya Panday: “I’ve always wanted to be an actor. I remember in school from grade 1 to grade 12 I was the only person who had a constant answer when someone asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up while everyone was still unsure and deciding. I have such vivid memories of watching my favourite films growing up, I can recite the entire script of Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. Definitely seeing Kareena Kapoor, Karisma Kapoor, Kajol, Preity Zinta has made me always dream and want to be on the big screen. They’re huge influences on me!”

Ananya Panday

Cosmo: How were you as a kid—shy and introvert or an extrovert?

Ananya Panday: “I was always a mix between an introvert and an extrovert. I’ve always been in love with acting but during school plays or annual days when I was made to perform I would get stage fright. But I still participated in all the annual days, weekly assemblies and dramatic competitions in school. It really helped me gain a lot of confidence.
However, it’s different with movies. The first time I faced the camera,  became comfortable at once. I feel at home and at peace in front of the camera, it’s like my safe haven.” 

Cosmo: If your friends were to describe you, what would they say?

Ananya Panday: “Filmy! In school I always knew that I wanted to grow up and act. It’s rare for someone to be so certain about the future at such a young age, so my friends called me filmy. I would randomly recite all of Kareena’s dialogues from Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham and could probably do all the hook steps of any random Bollywood song. My high school quote was also one of Alia’s dialogues from Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania. So, filmy was a very fitting description.

Ananya Panday

Cosmo: What do people generally get wrong about you?

Ananya Panday: “I they don’t realise how friendly I am, till they meet me. I love meeting people and talking and being amongst crowds and on sets! People forget that I’m just a 21-year-old girl who wants to have fun.” 

Cosmo: You are a youth icon, does that put pressure on how you portray or conduct yourself in public?

AP: “I always try to be my authentic self. I don’t mind ruffling some feathers along the way. I don’t portray a different picture to society, so there’s no pressure.”

Cosmo: Where there’s appreciation, there’s criticism too, how do you deal with trolling and social media bullies?

AP: “I’ve learnt to take it in my stride. To not get too caught up in the love or the hate. I have a lot of love to give and I just want to keep working so I try to focus on that!” 

Cosmo: What are you passionate about?

AP: “I’m passionate about the safety of women in our country, cruelty against animals and promoting a safe and kind space online! Hence I started SoPositive which is a DSR that promotes positivity and kindness on social media. Bullying takes place on social media, people see it happening but no one does anything about it even though it can impact mental health. I really wanted to do something as people tend to forget that their words can really affect someone for the rest of their lives.”

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by So Positive (@sopositivedsr)

Cosmo: How do you unwind?

AP: I love to read and watch films and spend time with my friends and family and eat a lottttttt!

Ananya Panday

Cosmo: …Is that why we see a lot of food posts on your Instagram?

AP: Yes, Movies!!! And food!! I am obsessed with them. I’ve grown up surrounded by people who love both and my life revolves around them too.

Cosmo: What is your fitness routine like?

AP: “During the lockdown I started doing yoga a lot. I also started learning belly dancing during the lockdown. I try to incorporate some sort of work out in my routine everyday - for me more than trying to achieve some sort of body goal, I love how I feel after every work out.”

Cosmo: Road ahead…have you made a list of goals you want to achieve in the next few years?

AP: “I want to just keep working, trying different things, experiment and change around! But one thing that I want to keep constant is being happy.”

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