Ananya Panday has established herself as one of the most recognizable faces in the modern Hindi film industry. Since her entry into Bollywood in 2019, her career trajectory has been a blend of high-profile theatrical releases, commercial entertainers, and critically acclaimed streaming projects. As the daughter of veteran actor Chunky Panday, she faced significant scrutiny under the "nepotism" lens, yet her filmography reveals a deliberate effort to evolve from a "glamour girl" to a performer capable of handling complex, character-driven narratives.

Currently, her portfolio includes major hits like Pati Patni Aur Woh and Dream Girl 2, alongside prestigious streaming titles such as Gehraiyaan, Kho Gaye Hum Kahan, and the tech-thriller CTRL. Her 2025 projects, notably Kesari Chapter 2: The Untold Story of Jallianwala Bagh, signify a move toward more grounded and historical dramas.

The Beginning of the Journey in 2019

The year 2019 marked the official launch of Ananya Panday under the prestigious banner of Dharma Productions, a studio known for launching some of the biggest stars in contemporary Indian cinema.

Student of the Year 2

Ananya Panday made her acting debut with Student of the Year 2, a sequel to the 2012 hit that launched Alia Bhatt, Varun Dhawan, and Sidharth Malhotra. Directed by Punit Malhotra and co-starring Tiger Shroff and Tara Sutaria, the film followed the lives of students at Saint Teresa’s College. Panday played the role of Shreya Randhawa, a feisty and confident young woman. While the film received mixed reviews from critics who found the plot repetitive, Panday’s performance was frequently cited as a highlight. Critics noted her natural screen presence and "sass," which helped her stand out in a crowded debut. Despite its lukewarm box office performance, this film earned her the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut, cementing her place in the industry.

Pati Patni Aur Woh

Later in 2019, Panday appeared in Pati Patni Aur Woh, a modern remake of the 1978 classic of the same name. She shared the screen with Kartik Aaryan and Bhumi Pednekar. In this romantic comedy, she played Tapasya Singh, a stylish young woman who unknowingly enters the life of a married man. The film was a significant commercial success, grossing over ₹1.15 billion worldwide. It demonstrated her ability to fit into the "commercial masala" genre while maintaining a distinct identity alongside established co-stars. Her portrayal of the "other woman" was handled with a lightness that suited the film's comedic tone, further boosting her popularity among younger audiences.

Navigation Through 2020 and 2022

The pandemic years were a period of transition for the entire film industry, and Ananya Panday’s career during this time reflected the growing importance of digital platforms.

Khaali Peeli

In 2020, Panday starred in Khaali Peeli, an action-comedy directed by Maqbool Khan. Co-starring Ishaan Khatter, the film was set in Mumbai and featured Panday as Pooja, a girl on the run with a bag full of stolen money and jewelry. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the film opted for a digital release on the Zee Plex pay-per-view platform. While the film received average reviews, the chemistry between the leads was appreciated. It allowed Panday to shed her "college girl" image and take on a more rustic, Mumbai-centric character, involving action sequences and a specific local dialect.

Gehraiyaan

The year 2022 was a turning point for Panday’s critical standing. She starred in Shakun Batra’s Gehraiyaan, an intense relationship drama released on Amazon Prime Video. Starring alongside Deepika Padukone, Siddhant Chaturvedi, and Dhairya Karwa, she played Tia Khanna, a woman oblivious to the betrayal unfolding within her family and relationship. This role required a level of emotional vulnerability and restraint that was absent in her earlier works. Critics were pleasantly surprised by her performance, with many noting that she held her own against a powerhouse performer like Deepika Padukone. Gehraiyaan explored themes of infidelity, childhood trauma, and modern-day ambition, and Panday’s portrayal of the "innocent victim" added a layer of tragedy to the narrative.

Liger

Following the success of Gehraiyaan, Panday appeared in Liger, a bilingual sports action film directed by Puri Jagannadh. Co-starring Vijay Deverakonda, the film was a massive production intended to be a pan-India blockbuster. However, Liger met with severe critical panning and failed significantly at the box office. Panday’s character, Tanya, was criticized for being one-dimensional and poorly written. Despite the commercial failure, the film was a learning experience for the actress, highlighting the risks involved in large-scale commercial ventures that lack a strong script.

The 2023 Breakthrough and Critical Acclaim

2023 was arguably the most successful year for Ananya Panday in terms of balancing commercial viability with critical respect.

Dream Girl 2

Panday returned to the big screen with Dream Girl 2, a spiritual sequel to the 2019 hit. Playing the love interest of Ayushmann Khurrana’s character, she contributed to a film that eventually became one of the highest-grossing Hindi films of the year. While her role was relatively brief, her participation in a successful theatrical franchise helped maintain her box office bankability. The film’s success proved that she could still attract audiences to theaters in a traditional comedy format.

Kho Gaye Hum Kahan

The highlight of 2023 was undoubtedly the Netflix original film Kho Gaye Hum Kahan. Directed by Arjun Varain Singh and produced by Excel Entertainment and Tiger Baby Films, the movie focused on the lives of three friends navigating love, ambition, and the toxic influence of social media in digital-age Mumbai. Panday played Ahana Singh, a corporate professional struggling with a breakup and the need for digital validation.

This performance is widely considered her career-best to date. Critics praised her for the "rawness" and "authenticity" she brought to the role. She effectively captured the anxiety and loneliness of the Gen Z generation. For this role, she won the Filmfare OTT Award for Best Actor (Critics), a significant achievement that silenced many of her earlier skeptics. The film resonated deeply with urban audiences and established her as the definitive face of modern, urban Indian storytelling.

Digital Dominance and Genre Exploration in 2024

In 2024, Ananya Panday leaned further into the digital space, headlining projects that explored different genres from comedy to suspense.

Call Me Bae

Panday made her debut in the long-form series format with Call Me Bae on Amazon Prime Video. Produced by Karan Johar, the series features her as Bella "Bae" Chowdhary, a wealthy heiress from New Delhi who is disowned by her family and forced to hustle in the bustling city of Mumbai. The role played into her "privileged" image but added a layer of satire and self-awareness. Her comic timing and the journey of her character from a pampered socialite to an independent woman were well-received. The show was a hit on the platform, showcasing her ability to lead a series on her own shoulders.

CTRL

Expanding her range into the thriller genre, Panday starred in Vikramaditya Motwane’s CTRL, a Netflix original. The film is a "screenlife" thriller, where the story unfolds entirely through computer and phone screens. She played Nella Awasthi, an influencer who uses an AI app to "erase" her cheating ex-boyfriend from her digital life, only for the AI to take control of her reality. The film was praised for its timely commentary on privacy, data, and AI. Panday’s performance was noted for its precision and intensity, further proving her versatility in navigating experimental narratives.

Special Appearances

In addition to her lead roles, Panday made notable special appearances in 2023 and 2024. She appeared in the "Heartthrob" song in Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani and had a cameo in the 2024 film Bad Newz. These appearances, though brief, kept her visible in the mainstream commercial space while she pursued more experimental projects on OTT.

The 2025 Outlook and Upcoming Projects

Ananya Panday’s 2025 slate suggests a move toward diverse genres, including historical drama, romantic musicals, and courtroom sagas.

Kesari Chapter 2: The Untold Story of Jallianwala Bagh

One of her most anticipated projects is Kesari Chapter 2, where she stars alongside Akshay Kumar. Unlike her previous urban roles, this is a historical courtroom drama set against the backdrop of the British Raj. Panday plays a lawyer who assists in the legal battle following the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. To prepare for this role, she reportedly took Punjabi dialect classes and shadowed real-life lawyers. Early reviews and reports suggest that she brings a sense of "restraint and grace" to this serious character, marking a departure from her usual bubbly or troubled Gen Z roles.

Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri

Panday is set to reunite with her Pati Patni Aur Woh co-star Kartik Aaryan for this romantic drama. Produced by Dharma Productions, the film is expected to be a modern take on relationships, leaning into the chemistry that made their first collaboration a hit.

Chand Mera Dil

Another upcoming project is Chand Mera Dil, a romantic musical featuring her alongside Lakshya. Directed by Vivek Soni, this project is expected to be an intense love story, a genre that Panday has touched upon but hasn't explored in a pure musical format recently.

Ongoing Productions

Industry reports also mention her involvement in several other projects in various stages of production:

  • Untitled Imtiaz Ali Project: Rumors suggest a collaboration with the acclaimed director Imtiaz Ali, which would be a significant milestone for her career given Ali’s reputation for extracting deep performances from his actors.
  • Run for Young: A project in production that is expected to explore youth-centric themes.
  • Untitled Wedding Movie: A film that likely returns her to the lighthearted commercial space.

Analyzing the Career Trajectory

Ananya Panday’s movie list reflects a strategic evolution. In the first phase (2019-2020), she was positioned as a quintessential Bollywood "heroine" in commercial setups. In the second phase (2022-2024), she pivoted toward streaming, where the storytelling is often more nuanced and character-heavy. This pivot has been instrumental in changing the public perception of her acting abilities.

The choice of directors is also telling. Working with mainstream directors like Punit Malhotra and Puri Jagannadh provided her with commercial visibility, while collaborating with auteurs like Shakun Batra, Vikramaditya Motwane, and Arjun Varain Singh allowed her to showcase her range. Her ability to tap into the Gen Z psyche—dealing with social media validation, modern heartbreak, and digital identity—has made her a relatable figure for a vast segment of the Indian audience.

Summary of Achievements

Through her various roles, Ananya Panday has achieved:

  • Award Recognition: A Filmfare Award for her debut and a Filmfare OTT Award for her performance in Kho Gaye Hum Kahan.
  • Commercial Viability: Successful theatrical runs with Pati Patni Aur Woh and Dream Girl 2.
  • Genre Versatility: Transitioning from teen dramas and comedies to tech-thrillers and historical dramas.
  • Digital Presence: Establishing herself as a top-tier actor for streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.

As she moves into 2025, the focus seems to be on "grounded" storytelling and historical narratives, which will likely test her ability to carry more mature and serious roles.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was Ananya Panday's debut movie?

Ananya Panday made her acting debut in 2019 with the film Student of the Year 2, produced by Karan Johar's Dharma Productions. She played the character Shreya Randhawa.

Which Ananya Panday movie is considered her best performance?

While opinions vary, Kho Gaye Hum Kahan (2023) is widely considered her breakout critical performance. Her role as Ahana Singh earned her significant praise for its authenticity and emotional depth. Her work in Gehraiyaan (2022) is also highly regarded.

Does Ananya Panday have any movies in 2025?

Yes, she has several projects slated for 2025, including the historical courtroom drama Kesari Chapter 2: The Untold Story of Jallianwala Bagh and the romantic film Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri.

Are there any Ananya Panday movies on Netflix?

Yes, Ananya Panday has starred in several Netflix originals, including the coming-of-age drama Kho Gaye Hum Kahan and the tech-thriller CTRL.

What is the name of Ananya Panday's upcoming musical movie?

Ananya Panday is set to star in an upcoming romantic musical titled Chand Mera Dil alongside actor Lakshya.