Anaya Bangar’s stunning transformation: First picture with father Sanjay Bangar goes viral – Who is she and what’s the controversy?
Anaya Bangar, daughter of former Indian cricketer and ex-batting coach Sanjay Bangar, has once again captured the internet’s attention. This Diwali (October 21), she shared a touching family photo on Instagram to mark the festival of lights. The post featured her father, former cricketer Sanjay Bangar, alongside the rest of her family— this is the first time that they have appeared together publicly since Anaya Bangar’s much-discussed gender change.Sharing a family photo on the festival, Anaya Bangar wrote in the caption, “Light feels different this year– softer, steadier, closer to home.” The words hinted at a renewed sense of connection and healing within the family, sparking thousands of reactions online. Many fans saw this as a symbolic moment of acceptance and unity, given Anaya’s earlier revelations about her strained relationship with her father especially after her gender change and transformation.Earlier this year, Anaya had openly spoken about the challenges in her relationship with Sanjay Bangar. In an interview quoted by the Hindustan Times, she shared, “My relationship with my father is complex, like many families navigating change. I hope that one day he will find a way to stand beside me.” Her recent Diwali post, featuring the two together, has therefore been seen as a deeply personal and hopeful gesture.Who is Anaya BangarFor the unversed, Anaya Bangar, formerly named as Aryan, is the daughter of former Indian cricketer and coach Sanjay Bangar. Originally from Mumbai and Anaya is now based in Manchester, UK. She has gained attention for sharing her life experiences on the reality show ‘Rise and Fall’. Anaya played local cricket for Islam Gymkhana and Hinckley Cricket Club in Leicestershire, following her father’s footsteps, as per reports. In 2024, she revealed on YouTube that she moved to the UK for gender reassignment surgery and has been undergoing hormone therapy. Despite challenges as a trans woman in cricket, her passion for the sport remains strong, she had shared earlier.Anaya Bangar’s controversy, journey and strugglesAnaya Bangar’s journey has been far from easy. In a candid interview with Lallantop, she spoke about the emotional turmoil she faced after deciding to begin hormone therapy during her gender transition. She revealed that she struggled with suicidal thoughts due to the intense societal pressure and the feeling of isolation.Discussing her difficult conversation with her father, Anaya said that Sanjay Bangar told her there was no place for her in cricket after her transition. “He was just stating the fact that there’s no place for me in cricket. I had to take a stand for myself,” she had shared. “I did get suicidal thoughts as it felt like the entire world was against me, and the decision I took left me with no space in the system,” she added.Anaya also explained that while she still found some acceptance within her family, society at large and the cricketing world did not make space for her identity. “Even basic opportunities and rights are no longer there for me. I still had space from the family point of view. But it wasn’t there in society, cricket, or the external world,” she said.A step toward acceptanceAnaya Bangar’s recent post featuring her father has struck an emotional chord across social media. Many users praised her courage and resilience, calling the picture a symbol of love, acceptance, and change. For Anaya, who has been vocal about her struggles and transformation, this moment appears to represent a step toward healing— not just with her family, but also with herself.Her story continues to inspire conversations about identity, acceptance, and the evolving definitions of family in modern India.
