“She will do anything for love”, insists Ananya Panday-- confident that ‘Liger’ movie ( hero Vijay Deverakonda) will be a ‘roaring success’

Exuberant Ananya Panday whose blockbuster Pan-India multi-lingual movie ‘Liger’ is awaiting release, seemed euphoric-confident that this movie is bound to be a ‘roaring success’ . Out here in ‘Liger’ , a breezy family entertainer directed by Puri Jagannadh, the slim-svelte Ananya is paired opposite Telugu-megastar-now-Pan-India debonair sensation Vijay Devarakonda - Chaitanya Padukone

Since I know her acclaimed romantic lead actor-turned-quirky funster father Chunky (Suyash) Panday personally over the past three decades, I have seen Ananya as a charming little girl transform into a winsome talented teenager and then later make her dazzling debut in mentor ‘showman’ Karan Johar’s musical hit movie ‘SOTY-2’.

Although she is just in her early 20s, outspoken yet articulate Ananya has this smart-savvy-maturity , while fielding questions from the media.

Quiz her about her role in hero-centric ‘Liger’ and she responds. “Although there are plenty of breath-taking action-fight scenes, ‘Liger’ is a spectacular ‘massy’ full-on fun-film with music, romance and awesome dances as well.

Mine is an amazing character which is pivotal to the main story-plot. She is a ‘drama-queen’, a huge trouble-maker, a super-confident chatpatta girl, who will do anything for love, “ reveals Ananya who is “emotionally overwhelmed with the hysterical response of adulation-affection from frenzied fans towards during our promotional tours to various Pan-India cities.

Has this ‘Liger’ role ( her fifth film) been a creative challenge for Ananya, in her steady growth as an actress ? Reacts the ‘Gehraiyaan’ actress, “Maybe I found it difficult yet challenging as this complex role also allowed me to ‘break my inhibitions’.

In fact my Dad ( star-actor Chunky Panday) has been part of so many such brand of massy movies. Since I am relatively so new, one tends to get conscious while enacting particular expressions or physical gestures or mouthing certain dialogues as to ‘how-am-I-going-to-look’ or ‘how-will-it-sound’.

But this time I learnt, not to be scared of judgement, and just let-go. This was among my major take-aways from ‘Liger’,” confides Ananya who also shares that her ‘massy’ movie has high-emotional value-content which is Pan-India relatable.

Since ‘Liger’ has an undercurrent of martial arts and the hard-hitting cameo presence of boxing-legend Mike Tyson, did the ‘Pati Patni Aur Woh’ actress identify with it ? Laughs Ananya, “ Honestly, when I was in school, I did learn Taekwondo and I was a ‘green-belt’.

Maybe it’s a very hard-to-believe. Actually I do not have stunt-action scenes in ‘Liger’ like Vijay’s character has. But in future I would certainly love to train very hard for tough action scenes in upcoming movies.

Meeting up with global legend Mike Tyson-Sir is an exhilarating unique memory I would be able to share even with my grand-children. Almost like a scary lion in the wild, yet a gentle giant and we did have fun , ” smiles Ananya who is all praise for the “chivalrous, supportive, chilled-out, protective nature of my ‘Liger’ co-star Vijay Deverakonda, who also has this calming presence.”

In real-life Ananya confides that at home. “my younger sister Rysa is the original ‘Liger’ as she is bullying everyone”. While in the film industry she considers “mega-star Shah Rukh Khan as the ‘Liger—the king of the filmy jungle’”

Interestingly, Ananya ( who also wears chappals- footwear like her current co-star Vijay ) shares that at home, although she uses her gut-feeling and instinct for signing new movies,, she does bounce film-stories offers on her Mom (multi-faceted) Bhavna Panday for her valued feedback..

On a parting note Ananya insists that “I always want to be known as Chunky Panday’s daughter” . What is the mantra that she has imbibed from her experienced star-actor father Chunky who has been her guiding-Guru at home. ‘The love of the audience is always paramount and you need to always work hard towards deserving it ”, is what my Dad always tells me.