Ranjana Srivastava, the daughter of veteran actor Aanjjan Srivastav—widely recognized for his iconic role in the classic television series Wagle Ki Duniya—is poised to make her feature film debut with the upcoming movie Chand Tara. The international trailer for the film is scheduled to premiere on May 18 at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival.
About the Film and Its Inspiration
Directed by Padma Shri awardee Mohammad Ali Baig, Chand Tara draws its inspiration from the legendary 17th-century story of the singer-dancer Taramati and Sultan Abdullah Qutub Shah. Ranjana Srivastava steps into the role of Taramati, while Mohammad Ali Baig himself portrays the Sultan. The film aims to recreate the opulence and grandeur of the Qutub Shahi era.
Ranjana's Theatrical Journey
Unlike many newcomers who transition quickly to cinema, Ranjana's path has been deeply rooted in theatre, with over 15 years of rigorous training. She explains, "I am a student of the stage. Those 15 years were not a wait; they were an education. For the last six years, I have been trying and auditioning. The grammar of both mediums is very different—it takes time to make that transition, and it is different for every actor. Both mediums have their own challenges."
Reflecting on her father's influence, Ranjana says, "The confidence comes from his work ethic, not his fame. If I can be even 10% as disciplined as he is, I will consider myself successful. I do not 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 the kind of roles we are getting. It is 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."
International Recognition and OTT Debut
With Chand Tara already attracting international attention through its Cannes trailer premiere, Ranjana admits the moment feels both surreal and grounding. She says, "It is overwhelming and very humbling. Coming from an intensive theatre background, I am used to the immediate feedback of a live audience. To see our work traveling to such a prestigious platform is a reminder that when you focus on the craft, the platform finds you. I am 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."
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. This collaboration brings their shared philosophy of craft and discipline full circle on screen.
