Ahaan Panday on Finding Vulnerability in Saiyaara: How Softness Shaped His Breakout Performance

From detailed character journaling to honest conversations with co-star Aneet Padda, Ahaan Panday reflects on his debut journey and the unexpected love Saiyaara received.

Ahaan Panday emerged as one of 2025’s most promising new faces in Bollywood with his debut film Saiyaara, directed by Mohit Suri. Playing the role of Krish Kapoor, a conflicted musician navigating love and personal transformation, Ahaan surprised audiences with a performance that balanced intensity with emotional restraint. The romantic musical went on to become a massive box-office success, far exceeding expectations for a film led by two newcomers, and firmly established Ahaan as a talent to watch. Looking back, the actor has revealed that his process was deeply introspective, driven by a desire to add layers to a character he felt needed more vulnerability on screen.

In an interview, Ahaan shared that he maintained a personal diary throughout the shoot, where he wrote extensively about Krish’s emotional state before and during key scenes. One phrase, written boldly at the top of his notes, guided his performance: blending softness with masculinity. While reading the script, Ahaan felt that Krish’s gentler side was underplayed, especially in the latter half of the story. He consciously chose to bring in that emotional openness and fragility, believing it was essential to make the character feel real and relatable. This internal preparation helped him portray Krish’s evolution in a more nuanced way.

The actor also recalled a quiet, grounding moment on set with his co-star Aneet Padda, when both were acutely aware that they were still unfamiliar faces to the audience. Sitting together during the shoot, they spoke about the possibility that viewers might hesitate to watch a film led by two newcomers. Rather than letting that thought overwhelm them, they agreed on a simple goal: if even one person walked out of the theatre feeling moved, they would have succeeded as artists. That shared belief kept them focused on honesty in their performances rather than external expectations.

What followed surprised them both. Saiyaara not only connected with audiences but also turned into one of the year’s biggest hits, earning widespread praise for its music, emotional storytelling, and the fresh chemistry between its leads. The response, Ahaan admits, went far beyond anything he and Aneet had imagined during those early conversations on set. For him, the film’s success reaffirmed his belief that sincerity on screen ultimately finds its audience, no matter how unfamiliar the faces may be.

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