Ananya Panday's sister Rysa's LinkedIn CV goes viral; sparks nepotism debate among netizens

Rysa Panday, the younger sister of Bollywood actress Ananya Panday, has recently found herself at the center of a renewed nepotism debate after a screenshot of her LinkedIn CV went viral. The CV, which lists internships at top Bollywood production houses, sparked a wave of reactions from social media users, reigniting discussions about privilege and connections in the film industry.

Internships with Bollywood Giants

Rysa, who is currently pursuing filmmaking at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, included several high-profile internships on her resume. The internships were with Red Chillies Entertainment (founded by Shah Rukh Khan and Gauri Khan), Excel Entertainment (co-founded by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani), and Tiger Baby (founded by Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti). While some users criticized Rysa for leveraging her family’s connections, others defended her for gaining valuable experience.

Social Media Reacts: A Mixed Bag

The screenshot, shared on platform X (formerly Twitter), quickly garnered attention. One user commented, "Better than not doing anything at all," defending Rysa’s choice to pursue internships with well-known production companies. Others argued that nepotism exists across many industries, not just in Bollywood. One user remarked, "Nepotism is in every industry. It gives you a foot in the door, but success still requires hard work."


However, the controversy surrounding Rysa’s resume isn’t new. Her elder sister, Ananya, has faced similar accusations during her rise to fame, with many calling her a "star kid." In a recent podcast with Raj Shamani, Ananya herself expressed frustration over the derogatory term "star kid," which she feels is unfairly applied to her and others from film families.

While some criticized Rysa’s internships as evidence of nepotism in Bollywood, others offered a broader perspective. One user pointed out, “Nepotism exists everywhere, even in fields like investment banking.” They argued that connections often open doors, but the rest is up to the individual to prove their worth. Another person added, "If my parents had such connections, I’d take full advantage of them too."


Despite the criticism, Rysa’s supporters feel she is simply using the opportunities available to her. As one user explained, "How is this nepotism? Their parents worked hard to provide better opportunities for their children. If Rysa is using those connections, that’s her choice."

Rysa Panday’s Upcoming Public Appearances

In addition to her internships, Rysa will soon make her debut at the exclusive Le Bal des Débutantes in Paris on November 30, 2024. The event is renowned for being a prestigious gathering, and Rysa will be donning a couture gown by Elie Saab for the occasion. Her appearance at Le Bal marks a significant moment in her public life, where she will step into the limelight, following in the footsteps of her older sister, Ananya, who made her debut at the ball in 2017.

Rysa's foray into the world of internships with top Bollywood production houses and her debut at Le Bal are just the beginning of her journey. While she has generally kept a low profile, these recent developments have put her in the public eye. Meanwhile, her sister Ananya continues to make waves in the entertainment industry with OTT releases like Call Me Bae and Ctrl, both of which received positive reviews.