Sara Ali Khan, Janhvi Kapoor and I support each other very publicly, says Call Me Bae actress Ananya Panday

At Prime Video’s Maitri: Female First Collective, Ananya Panday shared her experiences as a young woman in the film industry. Since her debut in 2019 and her recent role in the successful series "Call Me Bae," Ananya has grown not just as an actress but also as a strong advocate for change.

During the conversation, Ananya talked about how her early years in the industry helped her find her voice. She said, "I think I've become a lot more vocal about what I stand for." For her, it’s important to speak out, especially in an industry where women often face challenges. “What keeps me going is seeing change; knowing that speaking up or even through cinema you can actually make an impact.” Ananya highlighted that her biggest reward comes when young girls tell her they feel inspired by her authenticity. “Even if one young girl comes up to me and says I am myself because you are yourself and I feel comfortable in my skin, for me that’s where I have done my job.”

Ananya also addressed the common idea that women in entertainment are often pitted against each other. “They keep pitting women against each other, actresses against actresses,” she noted. However, she pointed out that her friendships with Sara Ali Khan and Janhvi Kapoor show a different story. “With Sara and Janhavi, it’s not a very conscious attempt; we constantly try to be there for each other and support each other very publicly.” This kind of support is crucial, especially in an industry that sometimes promotes competition instead of collaboration.

By sharing their friendship openly, Ananya, Sara, and Janhvi aim to challenge negative stereotypes. “We are showing people this is how female friendships are supposed to be like, don’t believe any other way,” Ananya explained. Her goal is to redefine the narrative around women in the industry, showing that they can lift each other up instead of tearing each other down.