Bollywood actress Ananya Panday has marked the release of her debut web series ‘Call Me Bae’ with a traditional celebration, bringing the spirit of Ganesh Chaturthi into her home. The series recently began streaming on Amazon Prime Video on September 6, and Panday embraced cultural customs to commemorate both the project’s launch and the auspicious festival. Taking to Instagram, she shared heartwarming pictures of her family with their Lord Ganesha idol, captioning the post with enthusiasm, “Welcome home Bappppa.”
The popularity of Ganesh Chaturthi remains as strong as ever, especially among Bollywood celebrities who often share glimpses of their festive spirit. This ten-day festival begins on the fourth day of the Hindu lunisolar month called ‘Bhadrapada’. Known also as ‘Vinayak Chaturthi’ or ‘Vinayak Chavithi’, the period celebrates Lord Ganesha as the ‘God of New Beginnings’ and ‘Remover of Obstacles’, along with being a symbol of wisdom and intelligence. The event is particularly grand in Mumbai, where lakhs of devotees throng to various mandals to seek divine blessings. Participants bring home Lord Ganesha idols, observe fasts, prepare sumptuous delicacies, and visit elaborate pandals to fully engage with the traditions and spiritual significance of the festival.
Ananya Panday shared her thoughts on her OTT debut with ‘Call Me Bae’, demonstrating her excitement and sense of achievement. “From the get-go, I knew ‘Call Me Bae’ was a project I wanted to be a part of,” she said. “Even without having heard the script, I was certain this was going to be something special. Playing a multi-layered character like Bae is exhilarating and immensely rewarding for any actor. There’s more to Bae than meets the eye, and her journey from heiress to hustler is both compelling and intriguing. Despite the challenges she faces, she remains authentic, retaining her innocence and zest for life. It is this authenticity that connected me deeply to the role.”
‘Call Me Bae’ begins with a portrayal of Bae’s luxurious and privileged lifestyle in New Delhi.
. However, her seemingly perfect world disintegrates quickly when her family disowns her, forcing her to confront the realities of life on her own. The narrative then moves to the bustling streets of Mumbai, where Bae must adapt to a completely different lifestyle. Through upbeat music and vivid scenes, viewers get to witness Bae’s gritty efforts to survive — from navigating public transportation to managing the overwhelming responsibilities of being a journalist in Mumbai.
The series boasts a talented ensemble cast, with Ananya Panday leading as Bella Bae Chowdhary. Joining her are notable actors such as Vir Das, Gurfateh Pirzada, Varun Sood, Vihaan Samat, Muskkaan Jaferi, Niharika Lyra Dutt, Lisa Mishra, and Mini Mathur. Produced by Dharmatic Entertainment, the series also has big names like Karan Johar, Apoorva Mehta, and Somen Mishra serving as Executive Producers. The narrative has been skillfully crafted by writers Ishita Moitra, Samina Motlekar, and Rohit Nair, while the artistic vision of the series is brought to life under the direction of Collin D’Cunha.
Panday’s personal celebration intertwined with her professional milestone showcases the perfect blend of tradition and modernity. By bringing Lord Ganesha into her home, she not only embraced a rich cultural practice but also publicized her latest work, making the launch of ‘Call Me Bae’ even more memorable. Her Instagram post, which quickly garnered attention and engagement from her followers, was a testament to her dual role as an actress and a cultural enthusiast.
Ganesh Chaturthi offers a period for devotees and celebrities alike to reaffirm their faith, seek new beginnings, and overcome obstacles. The festival’s essence, marked by jubilant collective activities and individual spiritual pursuits, perfectly dovetails with Panday’s professional journey and her personal celebration. As her fans and the audience dive into the captivating story of ‘Call Me Bae’, Panday’s dual celebration remains a notable high point in her burgeoning career.
The festival of Ganesh Chaturthi, alive with songs, dances, and prayers, finds its echoes in Panday’s portrayal of Bae – a character who, much like the devotees during the festival, faces and conquers her challenges head-on. With her sincere depiction and her obvious attachment to cultural traditions, Ananya Panday is creating waves both on-screen and off-screen, ensuring that ‘Call Me Bae’ will be remembered as much for its storytelling as for her personal and heartfelt celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi.
