How Ananya Panday is redefining success for Gen Z India

Shruti Thacker
Nov 24, 2025, 02:11 PM

Ambition as an ever-evolving practice

For India’s Gen Z, ambition isn’t linear anymore. It’s fluid, participatory, and in progress. Ananya Panday is both its mirror and its proof

Ananya Panday embodies the blurred edges of Gen Z identity in India

Ananya Panday, who began her acting career at 19, represents this shift Her experiences reflect a generation growing up faster, navigating the blurred lines between online and offline worlds, and constantly evolving identities.

Gen Z India’s new language of visibility

Panday's social media presence, with over 26 million followers, emphasizes authenticity over aspiration, blending personal and professional facets to create a relatable public image

Rewriting the idea of the Hindi film heroine

Panday's role in "Call Me Bae" exemplifies the importance of authenticity in storytelling and fashion, reflecting real-life Gen Z experiences rather than adhering to prescriptive trends

Streaming opens space for roles that feel real to Gen Z

Streaming platforms have allowed Panday to explore diverse roles and narratives, moving beyond traditional box office expectations Her projects on these platforms reflect real, flawed, and self-defined characters, resonating with Gen Z's lived experiences.

Panday’s evolving success mirrors a generational shift in ambition

Panday's understanding of success has transformed from chasing blockbuster hits to valuing meaningful collaborations and memorable work, highlighting a broader change in how ambition is perceived among young Indians

Balancing box-office scale with quieter, risk-taking stories

In addition to her streaming ventures, Panday balances mainstream Bollywood success with riskier, more introspective projects, mirroring the evolving landscape of Hindi cinema between spectacle and self-awareness

Panday’s Chanel role reflects a broader rise of Indian Gen Z on the world stage

Indian Gen Z's influence is expanding globally, with Panday's appointment as Chanel's first Indian ambassador marking a significant shift in how global fashion views India—not as mere inspiration but as an active participant