Ananya Panday has become one of the most celebrated actresses in the industry, showcasing her talent and solidifying her status. Her father, Chunky Panday, recently revealed that he often had arguments with Ananya, urging her to focus on achieving stardom before pursuing a mainstream acting career.

In a conversation with Mid Day, Chunky admitted he initially wanted Ananya to prioritize becoming a star. However, as she gains recognition for her roles in projects like CTRL and Call Me Bae, he’s happy to acknowledge that she may have been right all along. He reflected, “I used to have fights with her because I felt she should do [mainstream] cinema and she’d say, ‘Dad, I want to be an actor.’ I’d respond saying, ‘You be an actor later, first you become a star.’ Now, I’m realising that perhaps she was right.”

Earlier this year, Chunky appeared on Cyrus Broacha’s podcast, discussing a phase he calls “reverse nepotism.” He noted that since Ananya’s rise to stardom, he has been receiving more work, expressing surprise and pride in this attention. He admitted, “I have never relished my success as much as I do hers.”

The duo starred together in the 2022 film Liger, where Chunky played Ananya’s father. Reflecting on their dynamic, he remarked that while they aimed to outshine each other, she would always remain his little girl. Ananya has often expressed pride in her father’s long career, emphasizing that he has earned respect in the industry.

Also Read

Ananya Panday’s transformation into ‘Mini Chunky Panday’

Ananya Panday, who made her OTT debut with "Call Me Bae", is...