Anya Singh is the kind of actor who slips under the radar — until everyone starts paying attention. Raised in New Delhi, she broke into Bollywood with a Yash Raj Films movie, Qaidi Band (2017), then drifted through smaller roles in movies such as Kho Gaye Hum Kahan (2023) before a breakout performance in Aryan Khan’s debut series.
Sharp and understated, Singh brings a disciplined poise (hello, boarding-school roots) to her style, both on and off the screen. With a fast-growing fan base, Singh tells The Hollywood Reporter India why she isn’t just stepping into the limelight — she’s redefining what it means to own it.
THR India: Did you first start to develop your sense of style in school?
ANYA SINGH: I went to a boarding school. From Monday to Thursday, we wore suits. On Friday and Saturday, we would wear grey skirts. Sunday was the day off, so we either wore our uniforms or a home suit — Cottons was the biggest brand.
THR India: And what did your winter wardrobe have?
AS: In winter, we wore a cardigan and a dark blue blazer, and for formal events, a tie. We didn’t have individual styles because there was no space for that.
THR India: When did that change?
AS: When I moved to Mumbai and did my first photo shoot for a film in 2017. I was not used to this world of fashion, and I was timid in terms of voicing my opinion. Over the years, I’ve understood my body, my shape, and I am a lot more confident about my style now. I’m also more open in terms of styling. Like the look [with brown jeans] today [at the shoot], the hair especially, even though it was so wild and big, it looked beautiful. The hairstylist mentioned that a lot of people don’t like experimenting like this. But I trust the process and the people involved.
THR India: How would you describe your sense of style?
AS: Minimalistic, chic, clean. I wish I was slightly taller, though I now understand that high-waisted bottoms give me length. I need a deeper neck because that gives my body some proportion. I will experiment during photoshoots but on a personal level, not so much.
THR India: Who are your fashion icons?
AS: Zendaya is very experimental, and she’s able to carry anything with a sense of confidence. I love Jennifer Aniston’s style, too. Of course there’s Sonam Kapoor, and Deepika Padukone.
THR India: How big a role did costume play in terms of you getting into character in The Ba***ds of Bollywood?
AS: Massively. Costume allows you to feel the skin of the character — it changes your gait and lets you know the mannerisms of the character you’re playing. I absolutely loved my styling [in the show]. It was very chic, enhanced my body, and yet did not seem unrelatable to how a manager would dress. I don’t usually dress like that, so it also did inculcate a certain sense of authority in me, and that changes body language.
THR India: Do you have one cherished piece of clothing? What was the first thing you ever bought for yourself?
AS: My old pajamas. They’re the most comfortable thing ever. My first purchase was a pair of shoes from Tod’s. It was during my first year of college when I was working. I also bought my first handbag from Burberry. I like understated things.
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