Fans and papa Chunky Panday maha-impressed with beti Ananya Panday's performance in Karan Johar's Kesari Chapter 2 --- its "SOTY-25" -- Shining-act Of The Year ! by Chaitanya Padukone

Versatile actress and ravishing super-model Ananya Panday ( first-ever Indian brand ambassador of international luxury-brand French-label Chanel)

By Chaitanya Padukone 18 Apr 2025 in Entertainment

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Fans and papa Chunky Panday maha-impressed with beti Ananya Panday's performance in Karan Johar's Kesari Chapter 2 --- its SOTY-25 -- Shining-act Of The Year ! by Chaitanya Padukone

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Versatile actress and ravishing super-model Ananya Panday ( first-ever Indian brand ambassador of international luxury-brand French-label Chanel) who started her acting career with mentor Karan Johar's 'SOTY-2'( Student Of The Year') in 2019 is making headlines again ! As the fiery confident lawyer ( Dilreet Gill) in Karan Johar's latest blockbuster period historic hit 'Kesari-2' released today, Ananya has impressed millions of her ardent fans and her own family as well. (Its also being called 'SOTY-25-- Shining-act Of The Year 2025) !

The articulate sharp-witted Ananya who was well-appreciated in her riveting roles in hit movies 'Dream Girl-2'and 'Kho Gaye Hum Kahan' and recent Amazon Prime comedy series ‘Call Me Bae’ and thriller Netflix movie ‘CTRL’ has candidly reacted that this movie Kesari Chapter-2 was an eye-opener and a revelation.

Ananya Panday in Kesari-2 scene

“After reading the script and acting in the historic bio-pic movie, I fully understood as regards the sacrifices made by thousands of people for India’s freedom. As the younger generation, we often tend to take our precious freedom for granted or very lightly,” said Ananya whose star-father Chunky Pandey seemed “overwhelmed with emotion ( tears) and appreciation (cheers) when I saw my versatile talented daughter Ananya performed so well, in an image-defying serious character of a dynamic lawyer. That too in a landmark historic period bio-pic”. Wasn’t it true that Chunky had never acted in any historical bio-pic and was he feeling enviable? Disclosed Chunky, “All through my 38 year acting career I have acted in so many super-hit movies which created box-office ‘history’ . But I have never acted in a historical bio-pic so far And I have also never acted in a Dharma Productions big-screen-movie as well. . But Ananya who is just 26 years old has now done a historical bio-pic with showman Karan Johar. So it’s an emotional pride for me and maybe its enviable as well (laughs). But I salute her decision to accept this unconventional role of a Punjabi lawyer, in a big-screen movie..Also I am delighted that Ananya got to work first-time with senior co-star Akshay Kumar, with whom I have done many movies, “said Chunky speaking exclusively to me.

As a senior film journalist, I have met Ananya as a little girl and followed her career-graph, since Chunky is my close friend off-screen.
Ananya Panday has arrived, as a brilliant star-actress! In Kesari Chapter 2, directed by talented debutant Karan Singh Tyagi, she isn’t just acting — she’s roaring, owning her frame, and delivering the kind of stunning performance that has fans and critics in a frenzy. As Dilreet Gill, an advocate, Ananya brings fire, grace, and grit, standing shoulder to shoulder with veterans like Akshay Kumar and R. Madhavan in this explosive period court-drama drama. Her on-screen one-liners hit hard, her silences speak volumes, and her screen presence is scene-stealing! From courtroom confrontations to heart-wrenching moments of rebellion, Ananya is a revelation.

And the social media internet agrees. Social media is flooded with love for her breakthrough turn.“ Ananya is superb in this cinematic masterpiece on Jallianwala Bagh ” another added, Ananya Panday has put her heart & soul into the role, every scene is a masterpiece Heartfelt praise is directed towards her strong emotional performance: “Ananya Panday also stepped up big time with a strong and emotional performance,” wrote a fan-user on X.

Kesari Chapter 2 Review: Akshay Kumar and R Madhavan's stellar performances will make India proud

In the movie Ananya plays the spirited advocate and assistant (Dilreet Gill) to Akshay Kumar’s character, eminent daring rebel-lawyer C. Sankaran Nair, who challenges the might of the British Empire after the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. Her performance hits like a punch to the gut, raw, intense, and fearless.