Ahaan Panday recommended co-star Aneet Padda for Saiyaara, reveals director Mohit Suri

Newcomers Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda are currently drawing attention with their film Saiyaara, directed by Mohit Suri and backed by Yash Raj Films. The romantic drama has sparked strong box office numbers and fan frenzy across theatres. But behind the camera, the casting journey of the film was anything but smooth.

In a recent interview with Instant Bollywood, director Mohit Suri opened up about how both lead actors initially failed to leave a lasting impression. He recalled that Ahaan’s audition didn’t stand out. Similarly, Aneet’s first meeting with the director went “disastrously bad.”

Interestingly, it was Ahaan who stepped in to defend Aneet. Mohit shared, “Ahaan was the one who told me ‘give her another chance. I'm telling you she's good, I've done a scene with her.’” The actor's confidence in his co-star made Mohit reconsider. That moment played a key role in Aneet getting another opportunity.

The second meeting changed everything. “I called Aneet and said, ‘You guys have a problem. You think I want a particular type. Come in as you are.’” Aneet turned up the next time in a loose white shirt and jeans. That, according to Mohit, sealed the deal. “I was like, this is it,” he said, referring to her natural presence which eventually became her character’s look in the film. “Her look, lost and clumsy—that’s what she is.”

Mohit added a broader point about the pressure on actors to present themselves in a certain way during auditions. “People think they need to show something filmmakers want. But that’s not always true.”

The film’s runaway success has now made both Ahaan and Aneet breakout names. While Saiyaara continues its strong run at the box office, with comparisons already being made to Kabir Singh, its behind-the-scenes story offers insight into how trust and second chances can shape casting decisions.

With theatres packed and audience reactions flooding social media, Saiyaara seems to have introduced Bollywood to its next generation of stars.