MUMBAI— Bollywood welcomed two new stars this year as Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda shot to fame with the romantic drama Saiyaara. Their breakout film, directed by Mohit Suri, has turned them into household names.
Audiences and critics alike have praised their performances, while Saiyaara’s impressive box office run has set new records. Ahaan’s mother, Deanne Panday, shared her surprise and pride over his on-screen presence.
Saiyaara Changes the Box Office Game
Saiyaara, which hit cinemas on July 18, 2025, has become a milestone for films led by newcomers. Produced by Yash Raj Films, the musical romance has collected more than ₹270 crore net in India after just 13 days, with its worldwide earnings now over ₹400 crore, based on trade data. It opened with ₹83 crore in its first weekend, beating debut-led hits like Dhadak (₹74.19 crore) and Student of the Year (₹70 crore).
Despite only 8,000 screenings across India, compared to the usual 18,000 for major titles, Saiyaara managed to sell close to 10 lakh tickets on opening day. Advance ticket sales brought in ₹9.39 crore.
The film saw strong momentum in its second weekend with ₹75.50 crore, topping what Dangal and Pathaan made in the same period. It has now outperformed big 2025 releases like Housefull 5 (₹183.38 crore) and Sikandar (₹110 crore). This success puts Saiyaara just behind Vicky Kaushal’s Chhaava as the year’s second-highest-grossing Hindi film.
Fans and critics have connected with Saiyaara’s heartfelt story, its memorable music, and the genuine chemistry between Ahaan and Aneet. The Times of India highlighted Mohit Suri’s grasp of emotion, noting the film’s soundtrack by Mithoon and Tanishk Bagchi as a standout.
Social media is full of posts from young viewers sharing emotional reactions and clips from screenings, including a viral video of a fan watching the film with an IV drip. Komal Nahta, a leading trade analyst, even called it a “modern-day DDLJ”, referencing the classic Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge.
Ahaan and Aneet: Instant Stardom
Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda’s performances as Krish Kapoor, a young musician, and Vaani Batra, a thoughtful poet, have won over viewers everywhere. Ahaan, related to Ananya Panday and Chunky Panday, shows both confidence and vulnerability on screen. Many critics have praised his debut, calling it the most impressive male launch since Hrithik Roshan in Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai.
Aneet, who comes from Amritsar and started as a model, brings fresh energy and depth to her role. She had appeared earlier in the 2024 show Big Girls Don’t Cry. Her dynamic with Ahaan has received special praise, and fans on X have celebrated her grounded attitude and natural talent.
Industry figures like Akshay Kumar, Alia Bhatt, and Ranveer Singh have publicly congratulated the pair. Kumar called Saiyaara a positive sign for the Hindi film industry. Their co-star Rajesh Kumar, who plays Aneet’s father, believes they will stay humble, describing Ahaan’s down-to-earth attitude and Aneet’s disbelief at their rapid success.
Deanne Panday Shares Her Joy
Deanne Panday, Ahaan’s mother, wellness coach and author, has been thrilled with her son’s achievement. At a recent event in Mumbai, paparazzi joked with her, calling her “Krish Kapoor ki mummy”, to which she laughed and replied, “Picture dekhi ya nahi?”
In an emotional interview with Instant Bollywood, Deanne admitted she was amazed by Ahaan’s acting. She described her son as hardworking and kind, saying she was moved when she watched him on screen. She thanked both the fans and YRF for supporting him.
Ahaan’s sister, Alanna Panday, who is well known on social media, posted a touching family video after the premiere, writing “Our #Saiyaara”. Ananya Panday was also seen shedding tears and cheering him on, saying, “A star is born!”
Saiyaara, said to take inspiration from the 2004 Korean drama A Moment to Remember, looks set to revive Bollywood’s love stories. While action films have dominated in recent years, Saiyaara proves that a strong story and new talent can still fill theatres.
The film’s budget was a moderate ₹60 crore, yet its performance has led to a delayed Netflix release, now scheduled for Diwali 2025 to maximize its run in cinemas.
Both Ahaan and Aneet have promising careers ahead. Ahaan, with experience as an assistant director on projects like Mardaani 2, is already being considered for major roles. Aneet’s singing debut with the song Masoom has added to her popularity. As Saiyaara targets ₹300 crore in India and up to ₹500 crore worldwide, it is clear that Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda are set to shape the next era of Hindi cinema.
