Sanjay Bangar's Transgender Daughter Anaya Set To Join Bigg Boss 19

Soumyajit Dutta

Anaya Bangar set to join Bigg Boss house [Source: @TheYorkerBall/X.com, Screengrab]Anaya Bangar set to join Bigg Boss house [Source: @TheYorkerBall/X.com, Screengrab]

Former India cricketer Sanjay Bangar's trans gender daughter, Anaya Bangar, is reportedly joining the cast of Bigg Boss 19, according to social media speculation. Anaya, who entered the public eye after sharing her gender transition journey, could enter the house on August 24th as a contestant embodying resilience and transformation.

Anaya Bangar, while known as the daughter of the former player and coach, is now stepping forward as a proud transgender woman, athlete, and advocate. Her path has involved significant challenges, including gender affirmation surgery.

Anaya Bangar's Journey To Her Truth

Anaya, now, has transitioned to living authentically as a woman in Manchester, UK. Realising her gender identity in childhood but initially keeping it private due to her father's public profile and concerns about the cricket environment, Anaya sought counselling and began Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) in December 2024. 

This has resulted in significant physiological changes, including reduced muscle mass and strength within the typical female range. 

When Anaya Faced Hurdles For Coming Out

Despite a lifelong passion for cricket inspired by her father, Sanjay Bangar, and experience playing junior cricket, Anaya's professional aspirations face major hurdles due to current ICC and ECB regulations. These rules restrict transgender women who underwent male puberty from elite women's cricket, barring her from professional play even though her hormone levels align with cisgender women. 

Anaya advocates for inclusive policies, submitting scientific data to the BCCI and ICC to support eligibility based on evidence. She has also faced harassment within the cricket community but continues to call for greater acceptance and inclusion while playing locally.

Bigg Boss as a Platform for Dialogue

Inside the Bigg Boss house, Anaya is expected to extend the candidness she shows on social media to a massive audience. Her presence aims not only to entertain but to ignite meaningful conversations about acceptance, identity, and inclusivity in sports and society.

For Anaya, this reality TV experience represents an opportunity to share her authentic journey of transformation and self-discovery with India and to speak up for more transgender women.