Ananya Panday on #MeToo and conscious choices: It’s important to stand for something
Ananya Panday discussed her commitment to social issues and the importance of aligning her work with her beliefs at the India Today Mind Rocks Youth Summit 2024 in Bengaluru. The actress cited the example of her latest show, Call Me Bae, to speak on MeToo and women’s safety.
Actress Ananya Panday, who is enjoying the success of Call Me Bae, underlined the importance of making a conscious choice when taking a stand. Speaking at the India Today Mind Rocks Youth Summit 2024 in Bengaluru on September 14, the actress emphasised that she always wanted to talk about #MeToo but couldn’t do so due to various reasons. However, now she wants her work to speak and send out messages that align with her personal beliefs.
Ananya Panday shared her thoughts on using her social conscience as a public figure, citing Spider-Man’s Uncle Ben. “With great power comes great responsibility,” she said, adding, “It’s very important for me to use my voice in the right way. Sometimes, as an actress, I feel a bit helpless because people say ‘don’t be too political or don’t say this’ but I have realised that when I work, it is in line with my moral and social beliefs.”
She further added, “For example, in Call Me Bae, I don’t want to give any spoilers, but it delves into an area that stands for women, women empowerment and the MeToo issue. It’s something that I don’t get to talk about a whole lot in real life for various reasons. But, if I can do that through my work, I think that has a bigger impact as well.”
“As an artiste, I don’t think I would ever do something that goes against my beliefs as a human being because I know the impact it has on people. Our country is very easily influenced. I am also very easily influenced. I understand that and so it is important to be conscious about the work you are doing,” Ananya said.
Ananya also spoke about whether she finds it difficult to speak out because of social pressure. She said, “I try to be as honest to myself as possible.”
The actor also shared, “I am not one of those people who think it is important to speak about everything. I think it is very important to stand up for something. I know what is important to me. Safety of women in our country is very important to me, so I am very vocal about that. It is important to know what is important to you and do it the right way. Putting things into action is what matters the most.”
On the work front, Ananya Panday will next be seen in CTRL and Shankara.
