Mumbai

Bhavana Panday featured in the recent television reality show - Bollywood Wives VS Fabulous Lives and is better known for being the most drama free wife of them all. With a genuine personality and few airs, Bhavana Pandey opens up to WION about her bucket list, goals, guilty pleasures and being Ananya Panday’s mom. 

1. What’s on your bucket list? What are some things you want to do soon? 

I want to visit South America. I have been to the US so many times and I have always wanted to go to Brazil but never been. I have been fortunate and I have traveled a lot. I would also like to start a new business. I had created a clothing brand called LoveJen. We grew it to the capacity we could and then we sold it to a company. Now, perhaps I can explore starting a skincare brand since I am into organic skincare. However, once six months pass I will have more clarity. My own skincare mantra is cleansing, moisturizing and using sunblock. In the evening, I put a thick almond cream so that my skin doesn't get dehydrated. 

2. What are your goals in the upcoming 5 years? 

In the upcoming 5 years, I would love to shoot Season 4 and 5 of Bollywood. I would also like to start a new business. I also want to grow more spiritually since that is really important to me. I meditate every day and also do yoga every day. This has helped me a lot with my anxiety. When I am not doing yoga I have a six-minute mantra for Om Nama Shivay that I listen to. 

3. What has been your best travel destination so far? 

We had a family tradition of travelling as a family every year - once during summers and once during Ananya and Raysa’s spring or winter breaks. When Raysa turned 10, we went to Kenya and explored Mombasa, Mount Kenya, Masai Mara and explored East Africa. We did mountains, beaches and safaris. Both my kids love animals and they really enjoyed seeing them in their natural habitat. 

4. What are the top 3 things you worry about in life in general? 

I am a “worrier”. This is why I have gone towards meditation and spirituality. I worry about my kids, and their well being and I want them to be happy and safe. I worry about my parents too since they are aging and I worry about their health. Then, I worry about my close friends and family. I am the sort of person that worries about people close to me because if something affects them, it affects me. 

5. Who’s your inspiration in life? 

I would say all the women in my life have been my inspiration. My grandmother was a single mom and she raised my father and educated him. She did not have money and she worked really hard to do that. She also encouraged my mom to work and took care of me and my two sisters. I remember there was always hot food waiting for my mom after she came back from work. My mom was working in the administration department at IBM and I have seen everyone work in my family. My grandmother also motivated my mother to go out on the weekends since she had worked all week long. I have seen really strong women in my life. Even my mother-in-law has motivated me a lot. 

6. What are some guilty pleasures you enjoy? 

My guilty pleasures include red wine and holidays. I really love my holidays to be luxurious. I would rather take one amazing holiday a year than make four trips. I also love watching television. Both Chunky and I really love watching television. 

7. How does it feel to be Ananya Panday’s mom?

Both Chunky and I are incredibly proud of Ananya’s work of course and also of the person she has become. She is a kind and caring person towards everyone. She has also started So Positive for digital advocacy. It’s an organization focusing on DSR - digital social responsibility. She started this way back in time and I am incredibly proud of her social work. 

8.  What are some of your go-to TV shows to watch?

Currently, Call Me Bae is my favourite show and it's not because I am biased. I pick up the show from wherever I want and it’s quite entertaining to watch. I have also watched Bollywood Wives, season 2 - in bits and pieces recently.