At Hindustan Times Leadership Summit 2026, Ananya Panday defends GenZ, says they are ‘badnaam for no reason’
Here's the latest update from the Bollywood world:
Star Ananya Panday , 28, discussed nepotism, safety on sets, her dream roles — and how “love is everything” — at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit on Saturday.
Adding to this, Ananya Panday at the 24th Hindustan Times Leadership Summit, in conversation about cinema. (HT Photo) Ananya at HTLS 2026 In a session featuring filmmaker Imtiaz Ali , in conversation with Sonal Kalra, HT’s chief managing editor for entertainment and lifestyle, Panday started things off with a gentle, humorous grouse, in response to a question about Gen Z and perceptions of effort and hard work.
Meanwhile, “I think Gen-Z is badnaam (infamous) for no reason,” she shared, smiling.
Notably, There is the sense that young people do not want to fight hard for success, she added, but “it’s just our definition of success that’s different. Earlier, the sentiment was that if you hadn’t slogged mentally and physically, you hadn’t worked hard enough.” But success can now be achieved in so many different ways. “The way in which we approach success is different.”
As per the latest buzz, Discussing her own journey, she addressed the subject of nepotism.
In further updates, “I am very proud to be my father’s daughter,” she shared, adding that if she can help open the door for others, making sets safer for the next generation of young men and women entering the industry, she would consider that a win.
On top of that, In terms of dream roles, Panday described herself as a greedy star, wanting to do every kind of character. “I love crying onscreen, maybe because I am not an emotional person in life. I do enjoy comedy a lot too.”
Amid a discussion of Ali’s landmark romantic-comedy, Jab We Met (2007; Kareena Kapoor, Shahid Kapoor), and what it might be like to tell that love story today, she noted that it would be a dream to play such a role.
Source: Hindustan Times