Actors Ananya Panday and Tara Sutaria believe that women are finally having a say in all aspects of the industry. And effecting a gender balance. By Ayushi Sharma
There seems to be no end to the nepotism debate sparked off by actress Kangana Ranaut who had called Karan Johar “a flag-bearer” of it. However, actress Tara Sutaria defends her mentor and says he doesn’t favour star kids in the industry. She says, “If you look at Sidharth (Malhotra) and me, we are not from the industry. That’s reason enough to dismiss the claim.”
She feels that it’s a bit unfair. “The viewers these days are incredibly smart. They certainly decide whether someone deserves to be in a film or not. Whether you look at Sara or Janhvi or even Ananya, they are constantly working hard. They really deserve to be where they are not because they are from the industry but instead they have earned it.”
Actress Ananya Panday, Chunky Panday’s daughter, further elaborates and explains that it’s a simple concept one needs to understand, that people won’t invest money and their time in somebody they don’t believe in. “At the end of the day we are representing Karan and Dharma productions. Unless and until you are not good enough, you don’t give them a reason to believe in you, no one would do that,” says Ananya. The newest kids on the block from the KJo stables are in town to promote Student Of The Year 2 along with their co star, Tiger Shroff.
Ananya apprises us that even though she is a product of this film industry she still auditioned for the role. And this makes her feel proud that she was tested and landed the role on her own steam. She feels, “Being a part of the industry gives you access and can get you into those rooms where you can meet big personalities but then what you do in those rooms is solely on your shoulders.”
Ananya says that she wanted to be an actor since her childhood. “I have dreamt of it. But I don’t think Karan was aware of that. He always thought that I am this kid who is passionate about acting but not of an age where I could pursue this as a career. I wanted to really audition for this film. So I went to meet him and asked him whether I should join college or audition? He told me to try my hand at it and I did,” she adds.
Talking about the film Ananya tells us that there’s a strong message in the film about following your dreams. She says, “It’s not about living for anyone but for yourself. Go confidently in the direction of your passion and live the life you have imagined. This is a bubble gum film but it also has a message which is so important for youth. It teaches you in a fun manner rather than by preaching.”
Tara apprises us that the film has many disparate facets to it. There is an emphasis on kabbadi. Then there are Tiger’s dance and action moves for which he is loved. About her character, she says that Mia is much like the youth of today. “She is very strong, independent and knows what she wants and when she wants. I don’t completely relate to her because we are opposites in certain ways and that’s where the exciting part comes in as you get to play versatile roles. She does make mistakes in the film but then she tries to redeem herself, which all of us do as the youth. So I have learned that it’s okay to make mistakes.”
Ananya completely relates to her character. She says, “Shreya is extremely loud, expressive and confident. She doesn’t take ‘no’ for an answer, is super passionate and a fighter as well. These qualities match perfectly with the ones I had since school. Now that I am growing up, they are even more visible. I could also relate so much with Poo’s character in Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham and Shanaya in Student of The Year. So Shreya’s character is a lot like how girls are today. They can look up to her.”
Ask Ananya and Tara about what does it mean to be a modern Indian woman? They both strongly feel that women are more fierce and independent than before. Ananya says, “It is obvious from the fact that there are two girls in the film with strong roles and different characters. It’s so lovely to see that two women are given so much importance and it’s high time. I feel empowered. The freedom women have these days is laudable. No one is scared to be herself.”
Tara agrees with her and adds, “It’s actually a very exciting time as a young woman. The fact that we are producing, directing, writing, acting, doing everything in every sphere of life is something which has changed over the years. There’s hasn’t been a better time for women in general. And it’s showing in our films. There’s no stopping us.”
There is always a flip side to being an actor and talking about actors’ private lives being under constant watch. Link-up rumours are a part and parcel of being under the spotlight. It has been no different for Tara, who is rumoured to be dating actor Sidharth Malhotra. Tara said, “We were completely expecting this to be a part of our journey. We have just begun. But I think sometimes it is fun to read these things. It’s flattering in a way that people care and want to know about us.”
Tara ventured into showbiz in 2010 with Big Bada Boom and was seen in shows like The Suite Life of Karan & Kabir, Best of Luck Nikki and Oye Jassie.
(The film directed by Punit Malhotra, will hit the theatres on May 10.)
Photo: Pankaj Kumar
