How a business idea left Ananya Panday with fake Labubu dolls on her 'Chanel bag', reveals actress

Time of India

a day ago

Labubu dolls, the quirky designer plush toys that have taken Gen Z and social media by storm, are now more than just collectibles—they're fashion statements. These mischievous monsters from Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung's The Monsters series are being spotted on the arms and bags of many celebrities, from Urvashi Rautela flaunting four at Wimbledon to Khushi Kapoor and even her father Boney Kapoor comparing them to social media personality Orry.But not all of these cuddly companions are the real deal. Enter Lafufu—the name given to counterfeit versions of Labubu dolls, which have flooded online marketplaces due to soaring demand and skyrocketing prices. While originals can cost anywhere from Rs 2,500 to Rs 5,500, Lafufus are sold for just a few hundred rupees.In a now-viral video posted by socialite and friend Orhan Awatramani, Ananya Panday openly acknowledged that the dolls on her Chanel handbag weren't genuine Labubus. When Orry zoomed in on the toy and asked, 'Ananya, is this fake?' the actress smiled and replied, 'It is! But it's on a Chanel bag, so no one will ever know.'The video also revealed how Ananya ended up with the imitation dolls in the first place. Explaining the mix-up, she said, 'My friend Ridhima was trying to start a Labubu business and she ordered 100 of them but she got the Lafufus.' Instead of discarding them, Ananya decided to make the best of the situation—attaching the knockoffs to her luxury accessories.The confession struck a chord with fans online. Many praised her for being honest and unfazed, with one user commenting, 'She is so chill about it… loved it,' while others joked, 'Buy Lafufu, it's Indian. Labubu is Chinese.'This isn't the first time Ananya has been seen with the viral dolls. She's been photographed multiple times at the airport with Labubu dolls hanging from her expensive designer bags , which until now, were presumed authentic.On the work front, Ananya was last seen in Kesari Chapter 2, playing a lawyer alongside Akshay Kumar and R Madhavan. She now has two upcoming films—Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri, a romantic comedy directed by Sameer Vidwans where she stars opposite Kartik Aaryan, and Chand Mera Dil, a romantic drama by Vivek Soni, co-starring Lakshya and Pratham Rathod.Additionally, she's currently rooting for her cousin Ahaan Panday's debut film Saiyaara, directed by Mohit Suri, which releases tomorrow.