Aanjjan Srivastav's daughter Ranjana on her big screen debut!

Ranjana Srivastava, daughter of veteran actor Aanjjan Srivastav—best known for his role in the iconic TV show Wagle Ki Duniya—is all set to make her big-screen debut with Chand Tara. The film’s international trailer will premiere on May 18 at the Cannes Film Festival.Directed by Padma Shri awardee Mohammad Ali Baig, Chand Tara draws inspiration from the legendary tale of 17th-century singer-dancer Taramati (played by Ranjana) and Sultan Abdullah Qutub Shah (played by Baig). The film seeks to recreate the grandeur of the Qutub Shahi era, with Ranjana stepping into the role of Taramati, while Mohammad Ali Baig himself essays the role of the Sultan.Unlike many newcomers who transition quickly to cinema, Ranjana’s journey has been rooted deeply in theatre, with over 15 years of rigorous training. She says, "I’m a student of the stage. Those 15 years weren’t a wait; they were an education. Besides, for the last six years I have been trying, auditioning. The grammar of both mediums are very different—it takes time to make that transition, and it’s different for every actor. Both mediums have their own challenges."Reflecting on the impact of being Aanjjan Srivastav’s daughter, Ranjana says, “The confidence comes from his work ethic, not his fame. If I can be even 10% as disciplined as he is, I’ll consider myself successful. I don’t look at it as a comparison because he is a mountain and I am still just climbing. My dad and I have always focused on character building, never ever the kind of roles we are getting. It’s almost a taboo at home to be picky. The focus has always been on becoming better actors, not chasing opportunities. My credibility is something I have to earn every single day on my own merit.”With Chand Tara already attracting international attention through its Cannes trailer premiere, Ranjana admits the moment feels both surreal and grounding. “It’s overwhelming and very humbling. Coming from an intensive theatre background, I’m used to the immediate feedback of a live audience. To see our work travelling to such a prestigious platform is a reminder that when you focus on the craft, the platform finds you. I’m just happy to be a small part of a story that resonates. Fifteen years of theatre prepared me for a moment that I never thought would happen,” she says.Adding to what is shaping up to be a landmark year, Ranjana will also make her OTT debut with the Amazon Prime Video series Pyramid Scheme, where she will share screen space with her father for the first time—bringing their shared philosophy of craft and discipline full circle on screen.