In the elite circles of Bollywood and international stardom, few surprises are as splendid or as enchanting as having a global music icon sing for a celebration. Such was the treat for Ananya Panday when her father, acclaimed Bollywood actor Chunky Panday, orchestrated a birthday memory that would become nearly impossible for anyone to outdo. He managed to have none other than the pop sensation Lady Gaga serenade his daughter with a ‘Happy Birthday’ song.
The anecdote of this dazzling gesture was recently shared by the actor himself, showcasing just what lengths a father might go to for his daughter’s happiness. The moment was recounted in the context of setting incredibly high standards for the suitors who aspire to win his daughter’s heart.
In a candid and endearing reveal from the book “Raising Stars” by Rashmi Uchil, Chunky Panday let the world in on a sweet family occasion where serendipity played a meaningful role. Ananya, who is the first female child born in her generation of the Panday family, was born a unique nine months and 16 days after Chunky and Bhavana Panday’s wedding. Remarkably, this echoed a similar pattern to Chunky and Bhavana themselves, who were both born the same number of days after their respective parents’ marriage celebrations.
Fondly reminiscing about the once-in-a-lifetime birthday song, Chunky shared the light-hearted tale with a hint of humor about his financial prowess in getting a superstar like Lady Gaga to perform on demand. As it happened, Ananya and her friends were in attendance with him at the Grand Prix in Delhi, where Lady Gaga was slated to perform for the inaugural ceremony. Upon learning it was Ananya’s birthday, Lady Gaga graciously burst into song, joined in chorus by those around them. This spontaneous act by Lady Gaga turned into a memorable occasion, immortalizing the day for Ananya.
Chunky jokingly mused about the impossibilities awaiting Ananya’s future romantic interests. He quipped that should any boyfriend of Ananya’s replicate such a feat, he would deem them suitably impressive. Yet, behind the jest lies a father’s love that sets the bar memorably high, not just in terms of grand gestures but also in the emotional magnitude such actions carry.
The book, “Raising Stars,” offers deeper insight into the lives of celebrities and their kin, revealing the humanity and personal anecdotes that often remain hidden behind the screen and stage.
Switching the lens to the professional front, Ananya Panday’s talent continues to rise with her latest cinematic outing, ‘Kho Gaye Hum Kahan’. Gracing the screen with her compelling presence, Ananya is part of a dynamic trio including actors Siddhant Chaturvedi and Adarsh Gourav. The film, guided under the debut direction of Arjun Varain Singh and scripted in collaboration with notable industry names such as Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti, traverses the delicate terrain of modern relationships amidst the virtual world’s pervasive influence.
‘Kho Gaye Hum Kahan’ emerges as a contemporary portrait, deftly exploring the intersect of digital footprints and authentic human connection. This project, under the banners of Excel Entertainment and Tiger Baby, produced by stalwarts of filmmaking like Ritesh Sidhwani, Farhan Akhtar, Reema Kagti, and Zoya Akhtar, delves into the essence of navigating life and relationships as burgeoning adults in an era dominated by the digital domain.
The story shared by Chunky Panday, embroidered with a personal family narrative and Ananya’s ongoing cinematic journey, weaves together the fabric of legacy, stardom, family bonds, and the evolving narrative of a young actor carving her space in the industry’s ever-changing landscape.
