Diwali came early to Delhi over the weekend. At Zetu, one of the capital’s buzziest dining spots, three long tables were laid out for a festive dinner hosted by Chanel. There was plenty of conversation, good food and, because a little fortune-telling never hurt anyone, a tarot reader on hand to reveal what the future might hold. Making her way through the room was Ananya Panday, dressed in a red-and-black number from Chanel’s fall/winter 2026 collection.
The actor, who is the French fashion house’s first Indian brand ambassador, was also just announced as the face of their latest Diwali beauty campaign. In the images, Panday trades subtlety for shimmering gold, metallic eyeshadow, a bold red lip and luminous skin that’s a fitting nod to the festive season. Between a packed schedule and the Diwali party circuit, Panday made the most of her time in the capital, squeezing in a little shopping and picking up a gift for someone special along the way.
On the work front, Panday has had a busy year, with the romantic drama Chand Mera Dil releasing earlier this year. Next up is the second season of Call Me Bae, where things look set to get even messier for her character. But between screen time and soirées, what does getting ready for Diwali actually look like for her? We caught up with Panday to talk festive beauty, childhood makeup experiments, the products she swears by, and the small things that make the season feel special:
What did you get up to yesterday?
I landed in Delhi yesterday and went to The Chanakya for the first time. I’ve never been before, and it’s beautiful. I definitely did a little damage! I did some shopping and then went to Megu for dinner. I love Japanese food.
What did you shop for?
I actually bought a gift for Karan [Johar]. I hope this interview comes out in time for him to receive his present! I got him a beautiful tweed shirt that I loved. I also bought myself the leather jacket from the Chanel movie-inspired collection that says “Chanel Picture Presents Tonight or Never”.
How much sleep did you get last night?
Eight hours and 24 minutes. I’m a sleep tracker [points to her Oura ring], so I know exactly how much I’ve slept.
What’s usually your first stop in Delhi when you’re here?
Usually, it’s my grandparents’ house. They live in Gurgaon, but this time they’re in Mumbai and I’m in Delhi, strangely enough. So, I didn’t visit them on this trip.
How would you describe your makeup look today?
I’d say it’s very festive. Shiny eyes, lots of mascara, and an interesting contoured lip with a darker outline and gloss in the middle, and some blush. It’s festive but classic.
What’s the most Ananya thing about this look?
The blush blindness, definitely.
What is your non-negotiable beauty essential during the festive season?
The Chanel Le Lift eye patches. You really need them after all the Diwali parties.
What’s your earliest makeup-related Diwali memory?
My sister and I used to make my nani sit down, draw a line down the middle of her face, and then we’d each do makeup on one side. [Laughs] It was a competition between us, and in the end she’d be in no state to attend any Diwali party! That’s my first makeup-related memory.
How long does it take you to get ready?
If I’m doing it myself, 10 minutes. But if there’s a team involved, it takes a very long time, sometimes an hour. I can’t sit in one place for that long.
What are your go-to products when you’re getting ready in 10 minutes?
The Chanel Les Beige eyeshadow palette, the Noir Allure mascara in Indigo from the Denim collection, some blush, and my lip balm from the same collection. The Denim collection is my go-to.
What’s your Diwali party personality?
Killing it on the dance floor.
Is there a particular song or kind of music that gets you dancing at Diwali parties?
It always ends up being a Hindi song, usually something with those Emraan Hashmi vibes.
What’s the first thing you reach for at the dinner table?
Usually, bread.
What does tomorrow look like for you?
I’m going back to Mumbai. I have a narration in the evening, and then I’m just going to chill with my mum. I haven’t seen her in three days, which is a very long time for me.
Any special plans in the Panday family that you’re looking forward to?
Alanna [Panday] is having her second baby, which we’re all really looking forward to. They’re going back to America very soon, and I’m also spending some time with River [Alanna’s first child], because I don’t know when I’ll see him next.
