Alia Bhatt has always been my idol: Ananya Pandey

Newcomer Ananya Pandey says she hopes to grow into a versatile artiste like her idol, Alia Bhatt some day.

The 20-year-old actor is set to make her big Bollywood debut this Friday with "Student of the Year 2", a sequel to the 2012 film that launched Alia's career.

"I look up to Alia so much. She has always been my idol. When she came in with 'Student...' she was raw and fresh and people saw her grow. I've been inspired by her growth," she told PTI in an interview here.

Ananya, the daughter of actor Chunky Pandey, plays Shreya in the Punit Malhotra directorial. The film also stars Tiger Shroff and another debutante Tara Sutaria.

Ananya says her character in the film is similar to her real-life self.

"She is very much like how I am as a person. She's passionate, loud and expressive. She is a fighter and doesn't take no for an answer. She is someone young girls can look up to and relate with."