Bollywood’s sweetheart Ananya Panday is back in the spotlight, and this time, it’s not just for her upcoming cyber-thriller CTRL. During promotions, Ananya was caught off guard when a fan dubbed her the “next Alia Bhatt” in a recent interview. While some actresses might jump at the comparison, Ananya took a more humble approach, calling it a “huge compliment” but admitted, “I think I can’t touch what Alia has done, ever.”
With Alia Bhatt’s stellar track record, from Gangubai Kathiawadi to Raazi, it’s clear that Panday recognizes the high bar Bhatt has set. However, this doesn’t mean that Ananya isn’t carving her own path. As she gears up for CTRL—her most intense role to date—the young actress is making waves and proving she’s got the talent to back it up.
But, of course, Panday isn’t one to shy away from her vulnerabilities. She’s been open about dealing with imposter syndrome, admitting in an earlier interview that seeing her name or face on billboards feels surreal and sometimes makes her feel like “a third person.” She says this pushes her to constantly prove herself in a cutthroat industry.
As CTRL hits Netflix on October 4, all eyes are on Ananya. Will she be the next Alia Bhatt? Only time will tell!