Actor Ananya Panday says young people face unfair criticism at leadership event

Actor Ananya Panday stated that young people are criticized for no reason during an appearance at a leadership event on Saturday. In a conversation with filmmaker Imtiaz Ali and Hindustan Times editor Sonal Kalra, the 28-year-old actor discussed changing definitions of effort, industry nepotism, and modern romance.

Views on Young People

Panday argued that the perception of young people not wanting to work hard is inaccurate because success can now be achieved in many different ways. Earlier generations believed hard work required heavy mental and physical struggle, but today's approach is simply different. During the quick-fire questionnaire, she named 'cancel culture' as a modern obsession the world could do without, because small mistakes can lead to people being shunned.

Nepotism and Cinema

Addressing the subject of nepotism, Panday said she is proud to be her father's daughter and hopes to help open doors for others while making film sets safer. Regarding the changing film industry under the summit's New Rules, New Realities theme, she highlighted how diverse movies find success together. She pointed to the 2025 Malayalam female superhero film Lokah and Imtiaz Ali's unhurried film Main Vaapas Aaunga as examples of the industry not following old tricks.

Romance and Goals

Panday expressed a desire to play diverse roles, including crying onscreen and comedy, and named Kareena Kapoor's character Geet from the 2007 romantic-comedy Jab We Met as a role she would love to play. She noted that Geet was already coded like a young person today because she knew what she wanted and refused to change. Panday added that love is everything to her, that she wants to marry and have children, and that her life motto is YOLO because people overthink interactions instead of living in the present.

Context

Leadership summits regularly feature actors and filmmakers discussing cultural trends, creative choices, and industry debates alongside economic and political figures. Discussions at these events often touch on how different generations view professional success, social media culture, and changing audience tastes in entertainment.