Introducing Tara Sutaria and Ananya Pandey - The second batch of Karan Johar and Punit Malhotra’s Student of the Year

    Introducing Tara Sutaria and Ananya Pandey

    Introducing Tara Sutaria and Ananya Pandey - The second batch of Karan Johar and Punit Malhotra’s Student of the Year

    It was nothing sort of a deja vu when I began my conversation with Tara Sutaria and Ananya Pandey. After all, it was back in 2012 when I had first interacted with the new kids on the block, Varun Dhawan, Alia Bhatt and Sidharth Malhotra, when they were being launched by Karan Johar in Student of the Year. Now seven years down the line, a new batch is being introduced alongside Tiger Shroff in the second installment of the Karan Johar franchise which is being helmed by Punit Malhotra. 

    Introducing Tara Sutaria and Ananya Pandey - The second batch of Karan Johar and Punit Malhotra’s Student of the Year

    As I began my conversation with Tara and Ananya, what struck me immediately was sheer confidence, sans any attitude, which was on display. Over to the girls who are expected to pass with flying colors from the second batch of Student of the Year.


    Practically every month there is a new girl who makes her debut on the big screen. However, in your case, it is not just a regular debut, it is a major launch per se and that too in a Karan Johar film no less. That by itself must be giving you a high, isn't it?


    Tara - I honestly couldn't be more excited or grateful to the entire Dharma family for making this happen. Karan has been so warm and welcoming and I feel like this to be second home now. We have been filming for a year now; we started in April last year. It has been a phenomenal one year and to be honest, Student of the Year 2 is the greatest debut and a launch that one could think of.


    Ananya - You know what, I wanted to be a part of something where I could enjoy being in front of the camera. I wanted to do a film which I personally would have liked to watch on screen. Of course, since this is a launch in a Dharma film so indeed it is a big deal. I remember that ever since I was a kid, I used to be so excited when Lata Mangeshkarji's voice played in the title logo of a Dharma film. I saw Student of the Year when I was a 14 year old. I remember going for its special screening and since it was jam packed, I had to beg to get a seat. I saw Alia on screen and just wanted to do something like that one day. Thankfully that is happening now for me.


    Tara, you have been quite popular on television, especially with kids. As for you Ananya, this is your first time in front of the camera. What sort of transformation did you have to go through?

    Introducing Tara Sutaria and Ananya Pandey - The second batch of Karan Johar and Punit Malhotra’s Student of the Year

    Tara - Yes, I have gone through a transformation. I was a teenager when I did television (The Suit Life of Karan and Kabir, Oye Jassie) and now it has been a natural transformation to be a young woman. It hasn't really been a drastic change per se since I can't see myself in any different way (smiles). Personally, I haven't changed in any way. I am the same reserved and sometimes socially awkward person. That said, my life choices are same, though I am trying to be little more Bollywood in my outlook.


    Ananya - For me the whole transformation was to open up when the camera rolled. In my early days, I was a very shy person. My director Punit (Malhotra) had many discussions with me in his office where he wanted me to scream, yell, abuse and let go of any inhibitions that I did. This helped me a lot in acting so by the time I started shooting for the film, I wasn't shy. As a matter of fact I believe that there is so much in me that I want to show people and thankfully a lot of that has been incorporated in the film.


    Meanwhile, your launch is opposite none other than Tiger Shroff who is on a career high, courtesy his largely good run so far and his last release been a blockbuster in the form of Baaghi 2.


    Tara - I feel very fortunate that my first film and Bollywood journey has begun with someone like Tiger. I can definitely call him a BFF now (laughs). We are extremely similar and got off right from the beginning. It is great to share screen space with him, and dance alongside. We have shot many segments together and he never made me feel that that he is a big star.


    Ananya - Talking about dance, I have always loved dancing. In fact I have learnt Kathak too. However, dancing with Tiger is an entirely different ballgame (laughs). I had to really up my game as I couldn't be mediocre. Tiger practices for so many hours a day so to match up with him, I had to put in double the effort. I had to dance well and also get the right expressions. Fortunately, the film's music is catchy and hence I had loads of fun.


    However, the promo of the film has come for criticism from some quarters, especially from those who are wondering where do colleges, students and dresses like these exist. The film has also become hot favorite for memes and trollers are having a field day.

    Introducing Tara Sutaria and Ananya Pandey - The second batch of Karan Johar and Punit Malhotra’s Student of the Year

    Tara - You know, I do see what people are trying to say. However, the vision that we had for making the film is completely different. We are not trying to portray something which is serious. Student of the Year 2 is not a realistic film. Of course nowhere in India can you see students wear the kind of clothes that we are wearing. It is impossible to find a guy like Tiger in the crowd (smiles). As for memes then well, I can understand them. I want to tell trollers that they can keep them coming; it is only giving us loads of laughs!


    Ananya - Yeah, I truly love these memes and find them really funny. As a matter of fact I am actually sharing these on my social media platform and personally too with friends. It is important to laugh at yourself; this is something that I have learnt from my dad (Chunkey Pandey). He is always laughing and is happy. See, when people are trolling you, then in certain way I agree with them because colleges like these with hot girls and hot guys do not exist. Leave everyone, I know that my own college and school were definitely not like this. However, in Student of the Year 2 we are not making a documentary. People want to watch films which are larger than life. They want to come and have fun.


    Isn't there a pressure on you to deliver a huge commercial success though at the box office? Especially since Student of the Year too was a good success and had launched three careers?

    Introducing Tara Sutaria and Ananya Pandey - The second batch of Karan Johar and Punit Malhotra’s Student of the Year

    Tara - It's our first film so I don't know how to deal with that kind of pressure or think about numbers. We believe in our product and this is the best with which we could have taken the franchise forwards. We are lucky to have someone like Tiger as the leading hero as he can brings masses to cinema. Children love him, and as you know, when children love you then there are four more family tickets that are sold.


    Ananya - I won't deny that there is a lot of pressure but Karan, Punit and Tiger haven't allowed that pressure to trickle on to us. This is the first time that I am promoting a film and doing so many other things that happen before a film's release. Due to that I don't even have time to think of anything else. We have made this film with so much love and affection. We were pushed into giving our best so keeping our fingers crossed. Hope this one works.