Bhavana Panday On Ananya’s Choice To Ditch College For Student Of The Year 2

Ananya Panday may have found her footing in Bollywood, but her journey wasn't a smooth sail right from the start, especially for her family. Her mother, Bhavana Panday, recently shared how she and Chunky Panday were left stunned when Ananya chose to skip college and instead step into the film industry with Student of the Year 2.

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In an interview with Entertainment Live, CRTL star's mother Bhavana Panday recalled the time when Ananya decided to switch career paths and quit college. Back in the day, Ananya had her bags packed for Los Angeles, where she was supposed to start a degree in media and communication at USC. Everything was set, and it looked like she'd soon be a college student abroad. But destiny, or rather, a party conversation, changed it all. Director Puneet Malhotra casually mentioned to Bhavana that he was looking for a new face for SOTY 2 and asked if Ananya would be interested.

Bhavana didn't take it too seriously at first, reminding him that Ananya had college plans. But the casting news spread, and soon Ananya decided to give it a try.

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The shock came when Ananya was actually selected for the role. Her parents were convinced she’d follow through with her college plans, especially since the movie was delayed by a year. So when Ananya told them, "I am not going to college," Bhavana and Chunky were left speechless. They had envisioned her academic path differently, and this sudden turn of events took them by surprise.

Despite the shock, Bhavana and Chunky decided to support Ananya’s choice. They didn't want to push her into something she wasn't sure about, fearing it might lead to regrets later. Bhavana admitted that if Ananya had stuck to her college plans, her life would have been on a completely different track. Respecting her determination, they let her carve her own path in the film industry.

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What’s Next for Ananya?
Today, Ananya Panday is one of the rising stars in Bollywood, gearing up for her upcoming projects. She’ll be seen next in an untitled film with Akshay Kumar and R. Madhavan, along with Chand Mera Dil and the eagerly awaited Call Me Bae 2.