Ahaan Panday’s grand debut with YRF's 'Saiyaara' divides the Internet: Talent or nepotism again?

The launch of a new face in Bollywood is usually a moment of excitement, but in recent years, it has also become a flashpoint for one of the industry’s most controversial debates- nepotism. The latest project to fall into this ever-burning fire is Saiyaara, an upcoming romantic drama directed by Mohit Suri and produced by Yash Raj Films (YRF). The film marks the grand debut of Ahaan Panday, cousin of Ananya Panday and nephew of veteran actor Chunky Panday.

YRF announced the release date of Saiyaara, July 18, 2025 with a heartfelt caption: "Theirs is a love story like no other… #Saiyaara starring @ahaanpandayy and @aneetpadda_ releasing in theatres, worldwide, July 18, 2025!"

The project also features actress Aneet Padda, who has already caught the audience’s attention with her performances in Salaam Venky and the Amazon Prime Video series Big Girls Don’t Cry. While the announcement was meant to generate buzz and excitement, it ended up reigniting the nepotism debate that continues to divide audiences and critics alike.

Nepo Talk: The Cycle Repeats

Despite the romantic premise and a proven director at the helm, what caught the internet's attention more than anything was the surname "Panday." As soon as the post went live, comments began flooding social media. “Bollywood is screwed to the core,” one user wrote. Another quipped, “One more nepo dog, not interested.”

And it wasn't just sarcasm or memes, the backlash was loud and relentless. Many questioned why yet another celebrity kid was being given a platform by one of the biggest banners in the country. The timing didn’t help either, with the dust yet to settle from the recent disappointment of Nadaaniyan, which starred Ibrahim Ali Khan (Saif Ali Khan’s son) and Khushi Kapoor. Their performances were brutally criticized, and the internet wasted no time slapping them with the “nepo product” label.

All about Ahaan and Aneet

Interestingly, while Ahaan is facing the heat of the nepotism conversation, Aneet Padda is being welcomed with cautious optimism. Having played significant roles in both films and OTT content, most notably as Roohi in Big Girls Don’t Cry, Aneet has already proven she has acting chops. Netizens acknowledged her talent, with some even commenting that she might be the saving grace of the film.

Aneet’s journey through advertisements and meaningful roles in content-driven projects has made her a fresh and promising name, and many believe Saiyaara could be her big breakthrough.

When Nepo Kid Looked Promising

Interestingly, the nepotism narrative isn’t always doom and gloom. Just days before Saiyaara’s announcement, the teaser for Shanaya Kapoor’s debut film Tu Yaa Main dropped. To the surprise of many, it was fairly well-received. Fans appreciated her screen presence and even speculated that she might bring more to the table than some of her peers.

This small but significant shift in audience perception shows that perhaps not all nepo kids are dismissed outright. The tide can turn, but only if the performance matches the privilege.

Known for delivering emotional romantic dramas like Aashiqui 2 and Ek Villain, Mohit Suri’s directorial style could be the right launchpad for newcomers. His ability to craft intense, music-driven love stories might just help Ahaan and Aneet carve a place for themselves — if they can deliver.

With Saiyaara, the pressure isn’t just on the stars but also on the storytellers. Can they rise above the taglines and trolling? Can the narrative be strong enough to outshine the noise?

Whether you root for fresh talent or rally against industry privilege, one thing is certain, Saiyaara has already made headlines, and it hasn’t even released a teaser yet. With big names behind it and big expectations ahead, the film’s journey will be closely watched.

As Bollywood continues to walk the tightrope between legacy and merit, films like Saiyaara stand at the center of it all. Only time will tell if this love story will melt hearts or add fuel to the fire.