In an unexpected but delightful turn of events this Diwali, Bollywood actress Ananya Panday found herself the face of a firecracker brand, as revealed in a video shared on social media by her cousin, Alanna Panday. The discovery unfolded when Alanna presented Ananya with a packet of fuljhadi, a popular type of sparkler in India, adorned with her image, capturing the actress’s genuine surprise and excitement.
The heartwarming moment was part of a vlog uploaded on Alanna Panday and Ivor’s YouTube channel, featuring a candid segment where Ananya reacts joyfully upon receiving the sparkling surprise. For context, the practice of using popular actors’ faces on firecracker packaging was once immensely popular back in the ’80s and ’90s, but has since become a rarity. This made Ananya’s discovery all the more special, marking a throwback to the era when film stars adorned the packaging of festive crackers.
Ananya’s initial reaction was a mix of disbelief and exhilaration, “That’s my dream. I am on a fuljhadi packet. Was it actually on it or did you make it?” she excitedly questioned Alanna, showing the packet featuring her face to her mother, Bhavana Panday, who shared in her excitement. Ananya’s uncle, Chikki Panday, humorously acknowledged the moment’s significance, remarking, “You are on a fuljhadi packet na, you have arrived.”
The tale of how the fuljhadi packet surfaced was revealed by Ivor, who described spotting it at a small roadside stall and being pleasantly surprised upon noticing Ananya’s face. This prompted him to purchase it and share the moment with the family. Following the shocking revelation, Ananya posed gleefully with her parents, holding the fuljhadi packet, marking an unforgettable moment during the festive season.
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In addition to this candid Diwali surprise, Ananya recently celebrated her birthday, offering her fans a glimpse into her personal life through an Instagram post that she described as a “birthday dump.” The post was a heartwarming mix of recent birthday celebrations and treasured childhood memories. Among the collection, fans were treated to a stunning selfie of Ananya dressed in an elegant black dress, a delectable cake wishing “Happy Birthday A!”, and a charming video clip from her childhood where her parents playfully asked her to display different facial expressions, namely happy, sad, and angry.
Adding to this collage of memories was a picture of her beloved pet dog, Riot, lounging contentedly at her feet, and a fun image of the fuljhadi package that sparked her recent excitement. Ananya also shared a video of herself showcasing her fashion choices, a childhood picture of her swimming, and a photo of her charms adorning a bracelet. A capture of clouds in the sky and a snapshot of her on a street rounded off the birthday gallery, which her friend, Suhana Khan, commended as “quite aesthetic.” Ananya encapsulated the mood of the post with a fitting caption, “A little bit of this and a little bit of that,” complemented with a cheeky eyes emoji.
Professionally, Ananya is riding a wave of success with her recent Netflix film ‘CTRL’, which has been well-received by audiences and critics alike. Her career trajectory continues to take exciting new directions, as she gears up for her next venture—a film where she stars alongside Bollywood veteran Akshay Kumar, playing the role of a lawyer.
As the festive season lingers, Ananya Panday’s unique experience with the fuljhadi packet adds a cheerful and nostalgic hue to her journey—bridging her childhood festivity dreams with her current status as a celebrated public figure. Whether it is her charismatic on-screen presence or her playful off-screen interactions with family and fans, Ananya continues to charm those around her, with moments like these solidifying her place in the hearts of many.
