Call Me Bae creator Collin D’Cunha says Chand Mera Dil features Ananya Panday’s “most mature” performance yet, “I couldn’t be prouder”

There was a time when Ananya Panday was mainly known for cute, fun roles that appealed to younger audiences. But in recent years, she has quietly changed how people see her on screen. Her new roles have focused more on showing real emotions and deep feelings. In fact, Ananya has slowly moved from being seen as a cheerful young star in Bollywood to an actress who is getting more praise for her emotional performances. According to the creator of Call Me Bae, Collin D'Cunha, her performance in Chand Mera Dil could be her biggest step yet.

EXCLUSIVE: Collin D'Cunha says Ananya Panday's performance in Chand Mera Dil is her most mature one so far, "I couldn't be prouder."

Speaking exclusively about Ananya's role as Chandni in the film, Collin said, "Ananya as Chandni is her most mature, most layered, most nuanced performance yet.

 She genuinely surprised me with the depth she brought to her character and with her silences and the restraint she showed. I didn't see that coming and I couldn't be prouder."

This statement is especially meaningful because Collin has already seen Ananya grow while working with her on Call Me Bae.

 While the series showed her talent for comedy and pop-culture roles, Chand Mera Dil seems to challenge her in a more emotionally intense way.

Discussions about Ananya in the industry have also changed over the years.

 Movies like Gehraiyaan and Kho Gaye Hum Kahan allowed audiences to see a more calm and natural side of her acting, moving away from the image she had when she first started her career.

This shift seems to continue with Chand Mera Dil, which is being promoted as a deep romantic drama centered on heartbreak, longing, and young love.

 She is paired with Lakshya, and her softer on-screen presence in the film's promos has already started conversations online. Many viewers are calling it her most emotionally grounded performance so far.

What stands out most in Collin's praise is his focus on "silences" and "restraint" — qualities often seen as signs of an actor gaining confidence in their craft.

 Instead of relying on big dramatic moments, the performance seems to find strength in emotional subtlety.

For an actress whose journey has always been under public attention, Chand Mera Dil could well become the project that marks Ananya Panday's move from a young Bollywood celebrity to a performer who is starting to be taken far more seriously.