Bollywood actress Ananya Panday recently made a startling confession during an interview – she admitted to burning photographs of an ex-boyfriend as a way to cope with the heartbreak and frustration of their split. The young star, who is currently promoting her new thriller web series “CTRL”, opened up about her past relationships and the dramatic steps she took to move on.
Ananya’s Candid Confession
While chatting with Galatta India about her role in “CTRL”, which deals with themes of heartbreak and revenge, Ananya was asked if she could relate to her character’s experiences. The actress nodded and revealed, “I have burned photographs of my ex. I don’t do it anymore, but I have done it.”
She went on to explain, “It’s not like I’m the only person on earth who has done this. A lot of people have. It’s a nice way to release your frustration.” Ananya even drew a comparison to American reality TV star Kourtney Kardashian, mentioning that the famous sister had also created an “ex-box” filled with mementos from past relationships.
The surprising admission humanizes the rising Bollywood diva, showing that despite her fame and success, she has struggled with the same relationship challenges as many of her fans. Ananya’s willingness to share this personal detail also highlights a broader cultural phenomenon of people holding onto and then ritualistically destroying keepsakes from failed romances.
Dealing with Heartbreak
During the interview, Ananya offered some wise words on coping with the pain of a breakup. “One just has to deal with heartbreak,” she stated. “Nothing is permanent and one will figure it out eventually. It will get better, and knowing that is good enough.”
Director Vikramaditya Motwane, who was present for the interview to promote “CTRL”, chimed in, saying, “You have to face it, either by talking to someone or burning photographs.” This sentiment underscores the importance of confronting and processing the difficult emotions that come with the end of a relationship, rather than trying to avoid or suppress them.
Ananya also drew a parallel between herself and the character of Geet, played by Kareena Kapoor Khan in the beloved romantic comedy “Jab We Met”. Like Geet, who goes on a transformative journey of self-discovery after a painful breakup, Ananya seems to have emerged from her own heartbreak with a renewed sense of strength and perspective.
Focusing on Her Career
While Ananya didn’t name the ex-boyfriend whose photos she burned, the actress has been linked to several high-profile romances in the past. Most recently, she was rumored to be dating “Malang” actor Aditya Roy Kapur, but the couple reportedly split in March 2024 after a few months together.
Rather than dwelling on past relationships, however, Ananya is now focused on her burgeoning career. In addition to “CTRL”, which premieres on Netflix on October 4, the actress is also gearing up for the release of her new series “Call Me Bae” on September 6.
In “Call Me Bae”, Ananya plays a privileged young woman whose life takes an unexpected turn, forcing her to start over in Mumbai. The actress has spoken about the contrast between her character and her own personality, noting, “It was nice to look at the world through Bae’s eyes, because I think we get too caught up in stuff like ‘this is wrong, that is wrong, what people are talking about me?’. We focus so much on negativity. So when you get to play someone like Bae, she’s always looking for good in people.”
This optimistic outlook seems to reflect Ananya’s own approach to life and work in the wake of her past heartbreaks. By channeling her energy into her performances and seeking out roles that challenge and inspire her, the actress is proving that it’s possible to not only survive a painful breakup, but to thrive in its aftermath.
A Relatable Role Model
For many of her fans, Ananya’s honesty about her post-breakup ritual of burning an ex’s photographs is both relatable and empowering. In a culture that often pressures women to be perfect and composed at all times, seeing a successful actress like Ananya admit to such a raw display of emotion is refreshing.
It’s a reminder that even the most glamorous and accomplished people are still human, with the same vulnerabilities and struggles as everyone else. By sharing her own story, Ananya is helping to normalize the complex feelings that come with heartbreak and showing that it’s okay to take dramatic steps to heal and move forward.
Of course, it’s worth noting that burning photographs or other mementos isn’t the right coping mechanism for everyone. Some people may find it more cathartic to talk through their feelings with friends or a therapist, while others may prefer to channel their energy into creative pursuits or physical activity.
The key, as Ananya and Vikramaditya Motwane both emphasized in the interview, is to face the pain head-on rather than trying to avoid it. Only by acknowledging and processing the hurt can one truly begin to heal and move on to brighter days ahead.
A Bright Future Ahead
As Ananya continues to make her mark on the Bollywood scene with exciting new projects like “CTRL” and “Call Me Bae”, it’s clear that she has a bright future ahead of her – both professionally and personally. By being open about her own struggles and triumphs, she is serving as an inspiration to fans around the world who may be facing their own relationship challenges.
Whether she’s burning photographs, pouring her heart into her performances, or simply sharing words of wisdom in interviews, Ananya Panday is proving that she is a force to be reckoned with – and a role model for anyone who has ever had to pick up the pieces after a devastating breakup. With her talent, resilience, and positive outlook, there’s no doubt that this rising star will continue to shine for years to come.
