Ananya Panday received acclaim and praise from critics and audience for her performance in the Netflix film, Kho Gaye Hum Kahan. She played the role of Ahana and it resonated with millions of young women. In an exclusive interview with PeepingMoon, the actress opened up about the key scenes from the film and how the acclaim that has come to her is at the right time. 

Ananya further elaborated on reinventing herself with every new film and evolving as an actor over the years. When asked if she had to name her autobiography in the future, the actress revealed it would be called Hot Mess.

Excerpts from the interview:

Kho Gaye Hum Kahan got you critical acclaim. Do you think it's overdue? 

I wouldn't say it's overdue. Everything happens at the right time and everything that's happened to me so far, my entire journey, all the films that I've done, all the people that I've worked with, they've shaped me up and kind of made me who I am as a person and as an actor. I feel like it's the right time.

While Student Of The Year 2 was your theatrical debut, is Kho Gaye Hum Kahan your debut as an actor?

People said that about Gehraiyaan, so I don't know which one is my debut. I just know that I'm enjoying myself now, and I feel like I'm finally getting parts in which I can completely immerse myself. There's so much that I can bring to it and I'm learning from the people I get to work with. There's so much I can offer. For me, the biggest win is just representing myself. Several people have sent me messages about how they feel represented and how they feel seen because of Kho Gaye Hum Kahan and Ahana. That's the biggest win.

Do you believe reinventing yourself with every new character is a tough task?

It's a tough task, but it's the most basic and most important task as an actor because you can't put yourself in a box and you can't allow other people to put you in a box. You have to keep reinventing yourself. You have to play as diverse roles as possible and then also play similar roles to yourself as possible. Both are equally hard in their own way. You have to do commercial films and smaller niche films too. That's at least how I see it. I want to do a little bit of everything. I'm a student. 

What is the evolution you see in yourself as an actor and a human being?

I see a lot of growth in myself as an actor. I've become a much better listener. At first, I used to just wait for my line. I used to be like, "This is my line, I'm just going to say it no matter what the other person says". I've become a lot more comfortable with improvisation and listening to the other person. Learning my lines by heart is never a problem. You have to leave room for the magic that can only happen in front of the camera. I think I've become better at asking for what I need on a set. For example, sometimes sets can get so chaotic, but as an actor, you need that moment of silence right before the shot. I didn't know you could ask for that when I started out and I think learning from the people I've worked with, I've become better at that. As a human, in every way, I feel like I've grown up so much, but I still feel the same. I feel like I'll always be a student and I'm always going to want to learn. But I feel like I've become a lot more patient and a lot stronger.

Which is the most intimidating film that you've ever done? 

One of the toughest films, physically, for me to do was Khaali Peeli (2020). It was tough because the whole film was shot at night. There was a lot of action involved and I've not done action before. The whole film was kind of set in a car. Physically, that was the toughest film that I've done.

How similar or different are Ahana and Ananya?

I used to feel like they're very similar, but now that the film has been released, I've realized that Ahana is similar to almost every girl in some way. Every girl could relate to her so much. I think in ways of seeking validation and being slightly less confident when it comes to what people believe in her. She had everything going for her in her work but just that one relationship wasn't working out. So, all her effort and energy went into that. I think also her love and her reliance on her friends. I think that's very similar. The difference is, that her business mind is very different from how I am.

Apart from acting, you're into global representation and fashion. According to you, which is your most iconic fashion moment?

That one iconic fashion moment was from Kho Gaye Hum Kahan only. It was this 'revenge saree' that I wore. They've started calling it the 'revenge saree'. I feel my most beautiful and my most comfortable when I wear a saree. For them to coin this term, I think for me, they'll forever be iconic.

Do you think filmmakers in the past were underutilizing you?

That does happen by virtue of just doing more work in this industry. Do people see what you're capable of doing? Only when they see you do a certain way or a director portrays you in a certain light. Other people also have the confidence to do the same thing. I think in general, with the moving times, just roles for women have gotten so much better. It's the best time to be an actor, especially a female actor. 

If you get a chance in the future to write your autobiography, what would the title be and why?

I think I'd call it Hot Mess. I think it explains itself because I'm a mess, but I'm embracing it fully. 

What are your upcoming projects and what people can expect?

I have a film with Vikramaditya Motwane sir which is a cyber thriller. I have my OTT-long format debut with Call Me Bae. I have a film which has not been announced yet, which is a big secret, which everyone kind of knows, but it'll be very different for everyone to see me as that.