In the magical city of Paris, Rysa Panday, sister of Bollywood star Ananya Panday, made a dazzling society debut at the high-profile Le Bal des Debutantes 2024. As the only Indian debutante, Rysa stepped into the limelight in this very exclusive event, celebrated for its mix of global sophistication and philanthropy. Dressed in a breathtaking pastel blue and silver gown by famous designer Elie Saab, Rysa looked graceful and elegant.
The evening’s highlight, however, was the emotional father-daughter dance that Rysa performed with Chunky Panday, a tradition that has been an essential part of Le Bal over the years. The beautiful pirouettes displayed the special bond they share, which nobody could fail to notice. “Dancing with my dad was a moment I’ll never forget,” said Rysa. “It felt surreal to participate in such a beautiful tradition, representing not only myself but also my Indian heritage on an international platform.”
Ananya Panday, in pride over her sister’s achievement, spoke about her debut at the same event. “To see Rysa shine at Le Bal and to be able to carry herself with so much grace reminded me of my own experience. It’s really, really special, and she has done it so beautifully,” she said.
On the other hand, Chunky and Bhavana Panday spoke for the parents. “We are so very, very proud of Rysa. She has blossomed into a beautiful and intelligent young woman. Raising our daughters with strong values and the ability to adapt to various cultures has always been important to us. Watching Rysa on this global stage filled us with pride.”
Ophelie Renouard, founder of Le Bal, highlighted Rysa’s unique qualities that made her a perfect fit for this year’s event. “Rysa seamlessly bridges cultures. She is proud of her Indian roots, yet worldly, humble, hardworking, and anxious to make a difference. Le Bal is formatted as an ultra-exclusive sorority that links outstanding young women around the world.
Having Ananya participate some time ago allowed us to get to know the Panday family better. We are in awe of how Bhavana raised her daughters to be so full of values and at ease with the Western culture, an essential ingredient that makes our debutantes stand apart. Rysa’s warmth, grace, and confidence made her truly stand out.”
As the only Indian debutante this year, Rysa brought freshness to the evening, her rich heritage well amalgamated with the global outlook. She has become a part of the growing tradition of Indian representation at Le Bal, which has in the past included Princess Gauravi Kumari of Jaipur, Isha Ambani, Ananya Panday, and Shanaya Kapoor.