Ananya Panday Takes Dig at Paps for Creating 'Sad Stories' from Her Post-Gym Look: 'Breakup Ho Gaya'

Paparazzi culture is an ever-evolving topic in Bollywood, where celebrities’ every move is under constant media scrutiny. While some stars embrace the camera’s attention, others find it intrusive. After Janhvi Kapoor voiced her thoughts on the matter, Ananya Panday is the latest to reveal her discomfort with certain aspects of being clicked by the paps.

In a candid chat with Netflix India, while promoting her new cyber-thriller CTRL, Ananya opened up about her mixed feelings towards the paparazzi. While she appreciates their role, the Call Me Bae actress admitted there’s one thing that truly irks her — the constant requests to strike a pose from different angles, especially when she’s not in the mood for it.

“I don’t have a problem with paparazzi per se,” Ananya explained, “but I really hate when they ask me to look back and pose. They click photos from behind and make the audience guess who’s in the picture.” The actress expressed her frustration, saying that these moments often lead to unnecessary speculation about her mood or personal life.

Recalling a recent incident, Ananya shared how a simple gym visit turned into tabloid fodder about her relationship status. “I had just finished my workout and was completely exhausted. I walked out of the gym, and the next thing I know, they’re saying, ‘Oh, she looks so sad. Break up ho gaya (She must have had a breakup).’ I was like, ‘First of all, you try lifting 170 kgs and doing deadlifts, then let’s talk!’” she joked.

Ananya laughed it off but made it clear that this is something she doesn’t enjoy about being in the public eye. “Everyone looks sad at the gym. It’s exhausting! But then the paps create stories about my mood. That’s what I don’t like — them reading into it,” she added.

Her comments echo sentiments shared by fellow actress Janhvi Kapoor, who earlier called out the paparazzi for capturing her from unflattering angles. However, since addressing the issue, Janhvi noted that photographers have been more considerate towards her.

Ananya’s CTRL premiered on Netflix on October 4, 2024, and has been generating buzz for its gripping narrative and her standout performance.