Showing posts with label Ahaan Panday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ahaan Panday. Show all posts
Ahaan Panday wraps up 2-month UK schedule of his next with Ali Abbas Zafar
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Sources say ‘Saiyaara’ star Ahaan Panday, who plays a gangster in his next with Alli Abbas Zafar, has wrapped an extensive two-month UK schedule with multiple song shoots
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; August 1, 2026)
If July 2025 saw Ahaan Panday break out in Bollywood with the blockbuster Saiyaara, this July saw the young actor almost completing his second film. mid-day has learnt that last week, director Ali Abbas Zafar called it a wrap on the 60-day United Kingdom schedule of the yet-untitled action drama. In the last leg, the unit filmed a romantic song and some dramatic scenes with Panday and leading lady Sharvari in Birmingham.
Also starring Bobby Deol, Jimmy Shergill, and Aaishvary Thackeray, the film sees Panday portray a gangster.
A source said, “In the past few weeks, they shot three songs. One was a solo track of Ahaan shot at Town Hall in Birmingham. It’s a festive number that sees the lead actor dancing alongside young girls doing the hula hoop. Two romantic songs with Ahaan and Sharvari were also filmed at different locations, including Birmingham, Coventry University, Penrith, and Carlisle. Vijay Ganguly choreographed all three songs.”
The romantic action drama will trace how Panday’s character goes from a young boy to a dreaded gangster. The source added, “Aaishvary plays the antagonist, while Bobby is Ahaan’s mentor who takes him under his wing when he is young.”
Ahaan Panday to shoot high-energy dance track in Ali Abbas Zafar’s next
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Ahaan Panday and Ananya Panday dancing to ‘Saat Samundar’ at Alanna Panday’s sangeet; (right) Ahaan dancing to ‘I Am The Best’
Ahaan Panday to embrace his commercial hero era with a high-energy dance track in Ali Abbas Zafar’s next, he is set to undergo an intense prep for the dance number
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; May 20, 2026)
He is not an internet star, but even before he broke out with Saiyaara (2025), Ahaan Panday was already being talked about. The reason? His dance videos from sister Alanna Panday’s wedding had gone viral. While everyone expected Yash Raj Films (YRF) and Mohit Suri to cash in on it in his debut film, the director opted to keep his character intense. But here’s the clincher — fans wanted to see him dance. So, in his second, yet-untitled film directed by Ali Abbas Zafar, Ahaan will play the quintessential larger-than-life hero, complete with dance numbers.
“Ahaan, [who is currently shooting in the UK], is going to can a dance number next month, prep for which is underway. A four-day shoot for the song is being planned in Manchester. The sequence will show Ahaan in his effortless best and that’s how Aditya Chopra and Ali want to present him onscreen,” informs a source, adding that the shoot will happen at the end of the UK schedule.
YRF will lock a top choreographer for the number in the next few days “because the visual and dance forms have to be unlike anything YRF has done before”.
“Apart from daily dance rehearsals, he has also been working on stamina, body conditioning, camera [placements], music beats, expressions, signature hooksteps, and building the effortless swagger needed for a big Bollywood hero song since the number is designed as a high-energy commercial track mounted on a large scale,” adds the source.
I got one of the most painful surgeries after Saiyaara-Ahaan Panday
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HINDUSTAN TIMES (March 4, 2026)
Actor Ahaan Panday, who is currently undergoing a physical transformation for his next project, reveals having undergone a ‘painful surgery’ after his debut film.
“I actually got a whole surgery done after the release of Saiyaara last year. And it’s one of the most painful surgeries you can do, with the longest recovery time,” he told Esquire India.
The procedure was to correct a lingering shoulder subluxation from an old snowmobile accident, which was hindering his ability at the gym.
While the doctor told Ahaan his body would “go back to zero”, making it “nearly impossible” to achieve the desired physique for his next, the actor was able to “prove everyone wrong”.
“I went from being injured, to not being able to move, to not being able to lift, to being able to lift,” he said, adding, “I don’t know how nobody realized (that I spent months bound in a cast).”
Ahaan Panday dons action avatar in next; begins shoot on March 30
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Natasha Coutinho (HINDUSTAN TIMES; February 26, 2026)
Filmmaker Ali Abbas Zafar recently shared a behind-the-scenes look from his upcoming project, featuring the leading man, Ahaan Panday.
Now, a source tells us, “Shoot begins on March 30 in Mumbai’s YRF Studios for a 27-day schedule. Then, the team will travel to UK for a 60-day shoot in May. All the actors are currently in action training, and will be till end of March.”
When contacted about his lead, Ali, 44, is all praise for Ahaan. “He doesn’t perform emotions, he feels them. And as a director, that’s a rare quality to find. The camera has a way of catching the truth and with him, the truth is always there in his eyes,” he says.
Only one film old in the industry, with his debut Saiyaara being a surprise hit, Ahaan, 28, will take on the action-romance genre in the upcoming film.
Ali adds that Ahaan “brings a modern energy to classic romantic leads”: ‘It’s always amazing to work with raw, new talent and Ahaan, to me, is at the top of the league from his generation.”
The intimacy in Saiyaara unfolded through the songs, says intimacy coordinator Akshay Murarka
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Natasha Coutinho (HINDUSTAN TIMES; December 24, 2025)
One of the surprise blockbuster hits of 2025 has been Saiyaara, the musical romantic drama directed by Mohit Suri and starring debutants Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda. The film crossed the ₹500 crore mark worldwide and become the highest grossing debutante-led Hindi film. With audiences raving about the lead pair’s chemistry, Saiyaara’s intimacy coordinator (IC) Akshay Murarka opens up on how the film’s intimate scenes were filmed.
He says, “Since Ahaan and Aneet were newcomers, building trust came first. We conducted workshops in the first week of shooting and did exercises around consent, boundaries, trust, and comfort. These sessions are mainly to help actors feel secure in their own bodies and with each other. They are structured, with every detail discussed, agreed upon, and carefully staged; nothing is ever assumed. Once that foundation of safety was in place, the intimacy on screen felt natural, and I think that honesty really connected with the audience.”
Sharing details of how the shots were planned, Akshay adds, “In the song Tum Ho Toh, there’s a sequence of the two of them in a bathtub. The intention was to capture young, playful love without it seeming vulgar. A lot of care went into ensuring strict closed-set protocols, along with the use of modest garments, body tape, and physical barriers, so the actors’ safety and comfort were never compromised.”
About the song Barbaad, he says, “There is a bedroom sequence where the emotion called for passion. Every moment was carefully discussed and choreographed so the intimacy felt honest and intense.”
Being a man in the profession, how does he ensure women artistes are comfortable? “I’m aware of the responsibility that comes when actors place their trust in me. There have been instances where I wasn’t brought on as an IC because a director, female actor, or the production felt they might feel more comfortable with a female IC, and I completely respect that. My effort is always to approach intimacy with empathy and neutrality,” he concludes.
Ahaan Panday sets record straight on dating rumours with Aneet Padda: "She is my best friend"
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HINDUSTAN TIMES (November 22, 2025)
Actors Aneet Padda (23) and Ahaan Panday’s (27) onscreen chemistry in the romantic drama Saiyaara was widely praised, with fans swooning over their pairing. This led to speculations that they might be dating in real life as well. However, Ahaan has now set the record straight, saying that they do not share a romantic relationship.
“Aneet is my best friend. The whole internet thinks we’re together, but we’re not. Chemistry isn’t always romantic; it’s about comfort, safety, and being seen. We’ve both made each other feel that,” said Ahaan in an interview with GQ India.
He added, “But I’ll never have a bond like I have with Aneet. Before Saiyaara, we both loved this quote by [novelist] Paulo Coelho: ‘It’s the possibility of a dream coming true that makes life interesting.’ We dreamed this together, and it came true. What we’ve shared is so special.”
The actor also confirmed that he is currently single.
Bobby Deol to play an adversary in Ali Abbas Zafar's action drama starring Ahaan Panday
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Upala KBR (MID-DAY; November 10, 2025)
In his second innings in the movies, Bobby Deol is offering us quite a few surprises. If the senior actor shone in The Ba***ds Of Bollywood barely two months ago, he threw a curveball by headlining Anurag Kashyap’s Bandar. Now, it looks like he’s got another ace up his sleeve. mid-day has exclusively learnt that Deol has been roped in for director Ali Abbas Zafar’s next, which will be led by Ahaan Panday of Saiyaara fame and Sharvari. From what we’ve heard, the senior actor will play an adversary to Panday in the yet-untitled action drama.
A trade source, however, points out that Deol isn’t the antagonist in the story. “It will be incorrect to call him the villain. His character is in an authoritative position in the film, but there is more than meets the eye. As the story progresses, Bobby’s character is shown having grey shades, which influences his dynamics with the hero,” shares the source.
A string of negative roles has come Deol’s way in the past few years — from the game-changing Animal (2023) to Aashram and Kanguva (2024). In the upcoming Alpha too, he will be seen as the antagonist to Alia Bhatt and Sharvari’s spies. The source tells us that Zafar wanted to avoid showing the senior actor in a similar light in his next.
“Ali and producer Aditya Chopra were certain from the start that it can’t be a menacing and an all-black role as Bobby has done such parts. The director crafted a larger-than-life persona, keeping Bobby in mind, but at the same time, gave the character personal motivations and shades of grey. Bobby came on board only a week ago.”
Soon, Zafar will head to England for the film’s recce (Queen’s city calling showbiz’s new prince, Nov 5). If things go as planned, the project will roll in the first quarter of 2026.
Ali Abbas Zafar's upcoming project with Ahaan Panday is set in England; recce to begin soon
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With 2025’s breakout star Ahaan Panday readying for his next, set in England, sources say director Ali Abbas Zafar to conduct recce across London and other cities
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; November 5, 2025)
What is Bollywood’s newest star, Ahaan Panday, doing after the smashing success of Saiyaara? Moving full-throttle into his second film, an action drama to be helmed by Ali Abbas Zafar.
mid-day has learnt that the director is headed to the UK in December for a month-long recce before the shoot kicks off in February 2026.
Sources tell us that the action drama, produced by Aditya Chopra, will be primarily shot in London, Birmingham, and Manchester, with some portions planned in Leeds.
A source breaks it down further, saying, “Ahaan’s Saiyaara made upwards of Rs 550 crore globally. That has given Ali and Aditya Sir the confidence to go all out with his second film. For most part of December, the director will scout for locations in London, Manchester, Birmingham, and Leeds that will add to the storytelling when they are presented on the big screen. Almost 80 to 90 per cent of the movie will be shot in England.”
We’ve heard that Panday is simultaneously prepping for the project, especially since this will be his introduction to the action genre.
The source adds, “His debut film presented him as a devoted romantic hero. With the second venture, Aditya sir wants to project him as an action-romance star. He has been undergoing hand-to-hand combat training and weapon training.”
Sushant Singh Rajput agreed to play the lead; we had made an announcement too-Anurag Kashyap
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Having found his Nishaanchi hero after a long wait of over eight years, Anurag Kashyap shares that he advised Aaishvary Thackeray against doing other films until his launch with the crime drama
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; September 17, 2025)
If the universe had listened to Anurag Kashyap’s wish, Nishaanchi would have been released eight years ago with late Sushant Singh Rajput in the lead. But each film has its destiny, and the upcoming crime drama was destined for Aaishvary Thackeray.
The filmmaker recalls, “Sushant Singh Rajput agreed to play the lead, and we had made an announcement too. But then he changed his mind as he signed two big commercial films — Drive [2019] and Dil Bechara [2020]. After that, I met other actors and they all wanted to do bigger movies. Then I decided to wait for a newcomer, who would be good enough to pull off this role.”
Kashyap’s eight-year wait paid off. Today, he is launching Thackeray and Vedika Pinto with Nishaanchi, which tells the story of twins Babloo and Dabloo who have contrasting life values. “If I hadn’t found Aaishvary, I’d still be sitting on this script,” says the director, adding that the debutant’s showreel left him impressed.
“In his showreel, Aaishvary did the most difficult monologues, including one of Manoj Bajpayee’s from Shool [1999]. When I cast Aaishvary and Vedika, I told their parents that if they’re doing this film, they cannot be doing anything else. They kept getting offers, but they said no to everything and trusted me. It’s difficult to mount a film like Nishaanchi if the newcomers take up another project and that doesn’t turn out to be good enough. It’s like what Aditya Chopra did with Ahaan Panday.”
As soon as Nishaanchi’s trailer dropped online, Kashyap’s fans compared it to Gangs Of Wasseypur (2012). The filmmaker says the crime drama is his attempt to go beyond the 2012 offering.
“After Wasseypur, everybody kept offering me the same thing. I wanted to step away from that. There’s more to North India than Wasseypur and gaalis. With Nishaanchi, I made a family drama with seeti-maar dialogues, like a Deewar [1975] or Trishul [1978], rather than a gangster film.”
Akshay Kumar never lost faith in me-Mohit Suri
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Sonal Kalra (HINDUSTAN TIMES; August 2, 2025)
Saiyaara has broken global records and won hearts over the past two weeks. The craze reached unprecedented levels, with people thronging the theatres, and the Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda-starrer transitioned from being a young love story to a phenomenon. On The Right Angle with Sonal Kalra this week, we got the captain of the ship, director Mohit Suri, to decode the film:
Saiyaara has got a great response. How does it feel?
It feels good to receive this love. I have been spending time with my wife (Uditaa Goswami; actor) after the release, she’s been asking me to do household things (laughs). But I take some time for myself daily from 6.30 pm to 9 pm, as I get calls from all over the country. I’ve told her to just let me feel the love. It’s taken me 20 years to be here.
Akshay Kumar (actor) recently joined us on our show and praised you, saying if Mohit handles the music and directs, it’s always great. What would you say about it?
He has known me since I was a child, assisting on the sets of (Awara Paagal Deewana; 2002) with Vikram Bhatt (filmmaker). We tried to work together a couple of times, but things never fell into place. Even when Aashiqui 2 (2013) and Ek Villain (2014) had done well [he encouraged me]. He never lost faith in me. For him to come out there publicly... It’s something very few people do. What else can I ask for?
Was there a moment while working on Saiyaara when you knew the film would strike it so big?
We were shooting the piano scene, when Vaani (Aneet’s character) gets Krish’s (Ahaan’s character) name wrong. The way Ahaan gave that shot, and the way Aneet spoke... that was the day. I turned to our creative producer (Sumana Ghosh) and said, “I don’t know about the fate of this film, but I know we are making a great one”. When Adi sir (Aditya Chopra, producer) saw the movie in its loosest form, he said, “No matter how much this opens at, it’s going to do at least Rs. 100 crore”. I was in class eight when I saw his movie Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995) in the theatre. I said, “This is the kind of film I want to make someday”. For him to say this... that’s what an experienced producer should do. That’s when we felt we were making something special. While the collections are most welcome, this love is something I really wanted.
Saiyaara has led to intense triggering of emotions in people. There are viral videos of people tearing their clothes and crying their hearts out in theatres. Did you see them?
I’d forgotten that I have made a career out of people with heartbreaks. When I go home from office at night and see some boys on Carter Road (Mumbai), listening to Toh Phir Aao from my film Awarapan (2007), I don’t mess with them, as they are heartbroken (laughs). My music, like Sunn Raha Hai and Tum Hi Ho (both from Aashiqui 2, 2013) has lived with people for a really long time.
The film’s music has become hugely popular, the title track entered Spotify’s gobal charts. Did you get time to party with the musicians?
Yes, it was a last minute thing. Ahaan (Panday, actor) and I’d gone to Mount Mary’s church in Mumbai at midnight. Then we went to my office to celebrate after the release. He surprised me by calling Saiyaara’s singer Faheem Abdullah in the middle of the night. I have seen this popularity with Woh Lamhe (2007) and Galliyan (from 2014’s Ek Villain). The magic only gets better, and it’s scary. You’re expected to do it again and again. At the moment, it feels so good. I would feel let down if I didn’t let them (Ahaan and actor Aneet Padda) have the same success and position that I probably helped others reach.
You decided to work with newcomers, not just for the music, but also the leads. Were there people who maybe said, ‘We need a couple of big names to make the film financially viable’?
I’ve been working with newcomers all my life. The only stars I worked with are Emraan Hashmi and Vidya (Balan) in Hamari Adhuri Kahaani (2015), and John Abraham in Ek Villain Returns (2022). It was easy for me to decide on newcomers because the story required age appropriate casting. It’s easy when you have a leading production house backing you, with access to all the big stars in the industry. Adi (Aditya Chopra) did tell me, ‘Between you and me, we can get anyone in the industry for this film. My distribution and marketing team will be happy, too. But if you make Saiyaara with established people, it won’t work.’
I have to completely credit Akshaye Widhani (producer) and Aditya Chopra. I can be the dreamer who wants to do this, but for someone to back your conviction, people have to put their money where their mouth is.
Saiyaara didn’t go the traditional PR route — no reality show visits, no media interviews. Whose idea was it?
We had a PR meeting once, everyone was very charged. It was so good, the plan was what everyone was doing. But we all looked at each other and said, ‘This is not the film.’ I had a talk with the marketing team and said, ‘I don’t know the last time people went and watched a film because they saw the lead cast playing Truth and Dare, or being asked questions like, ‘Who is the bigger prankster on set?’ or asking the newcomers ‘What was it like working with Mohit Suri?’ I said we should talk about their work. Even when the poster was supposed to come out, we said let’s release the song in theatres, because most so-called newcomers are nowadays being launched directly on OTT. This is a theatre film. No comedy shows, no reality shows.
Boys have been messaging me that they hated my character in Saiyaara-Shaan R Grover
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Saiyaara's antagonist Shaan Grover recalls auditioning for Mardaani 2 and later joining YRF’s casting team
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; July 24, 2025)
Shaan R Grover belongs to that rare breed who is happy that his social media, over the past few days, has been flooded with hate messages. To the actor, it’s proof that his negative turn in Saiyaara has hit a chord with the audience. “Boys have been messaging me that they hated my character, while girls are leaving comments that they loved my performance. I’m happy people are showing love for my work, even if it’s through hate messages,” laughs Grover, who plays Aneet Padda’s former boyfriend in the love story.
Mohit Suri’s directorial venture, which serves as Ahaan Panday and Padda’s Bollywood launchpad, also marks Grover’s first Hindi film. If things were different, he would have debuted years ago with another Yash Raj Films’ (YRF) offering.
“I had auditioned for Mardaani 2 [2019], but I didn’t get through. I’ve had a long connection with YRF as I was a part of Shanoo Sharma’s casting team from 2016 for a year. After seeing my dubsmash videos, she felt there was something special about me. So, she trained me for a year.”
Around that time, Grover first met Panday, both unaware that they’d go on to share screen space. What bound them was their love for Hindi movies and Shah Rukh Khan. He recalls, “I remember both of us saw Jab Harry Met Sejal [2017] on the first day, and we spoke about it for three-four hours. I love Ahaan. He has given a brilliant performance because he is a Hindi movie keeda.”
Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda's Saiyaara becomes one of the biggest openers of 2025
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Mohit Suri’s romantic drama defies box office norms, becoming the biggest opener of the year for a film starring newcomers
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; July 20, 2025)
If recent box office trends are anything to go by, Mohit Suri’s Saiyaara can be described as something that came out of the syllabus. Headlined by newcomers Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, the film has amassed an opening collection of Rs 21.25 crore, becoming one of the biggest openers of 2025 so far. It has also registered the biggest opening for a Bollywood film starring newcomers. It’s being talked about because it challenges the notion that romance is dead on the big screen, and that you need a star to open a film big.
But did anyone see this coming? mid-day asks trade experts. Bihar-based exhibitor and trade observer Vishek Chauhan says people who had their ears to the ground, did. “We got the first indication when Laila Majnu [2018] re-released and did tremendous business, followed by re-releases of Rockstar [2011] and Veer Zaara [2004] in 2024. When Sanam Teri Kasam [2016] re-released, it blew the lid. With their attendance, the audience told makers that they wanted more intense romantic films with solid music,” he explains, adding that it’s the youth who has championed the film.
“Saiyaara is being pushed and patronized by Gen Z. If the youth is not interested in your film, it cannot have a big opening. Since Saturday, calls have been pouring in from the family audience. It is breaking out in a different demographic now,” he says.
“Shah Rukh [Khan] started his career [with romance]. For me, he is my hero. But for this generation, he doesn’t have the same impact. He is either Vikram Rathod or Pathaan [his characters in Jawan and Pathaan, 2023]. Ranbir Kapoor gave his generation many romantic films — Rockstar, Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani [2013], and Tamasha [2015]. Sadly, this generation did not have one, until Saiyaara,” he adds.
Trade analyst Taran Adarsh says Saiyaara showcases the power of music and visual assets, and proves that excessive promotion yields no benefit. “Back in the day, filmmakers focused on music. Even today, when we play Antakshari, we sing old songs because they are [still] fresh. Today, music is not given importance. It could have been a risk to not have actors promote the film, but the makers of Saiyaara were relying on the trailer and the music, which worked big time.”
Ground reality vs online rumours
There’s chatter that the number hype around Saiyaara, a YRF venture, is partly manufactured, aided by PR. Freelance journalist and filmmaker Fenil Seta calls it “denial”. “When I went [for a morning show], I was shocked to see 60-70 per cent occupancy. So, the hype is real and organic. We should [know] what is happening on the ground beyond online claims.”
I went and narrated Saiyaara to Anurag Basu-Mohit Suri
2:29 PM
With both Saiyaara and Anurag Basu’s next centred on a musician’s heartbreak, director Mohit Suri is confident that each filmmaker will bring his own interpretation
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; July 19, 2025)
Even a filmmaker who has delivered many hits over his 20-year career can be anxious and nervous ahead of a film’s release. Director Mohit Suri, whose Saiyaara hit the screens on July 18, says he feels an enhanced sense of responsibility with the film.
He reasons, “My actors are new. This is my first collaboration with a company [Yash Raj Films] that is known for their love stories. I was always the youngest one on the set when I started out. Now I am a grown-up, shouldering people who bank on me.”
Suri is telling a love story of a young musician and a lyricist with the film that launches Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda in Bollywood. He remembers producer Aditya Chopra telling him early on that the love story needed new faces. How did he end up zeroing in on Panday and Padda?
“Ahaan was doing something with YRF before, which didn’t work out. I met him a couple of times, and his audition wasn’t working for me. I was going to meet him and say no. So, we went for a last dinner. That turned out to be a mad, raging night, where he was no longer trying to impress me. That’s when I saw the real him and saw the character come alive. I told him to stop calling me sir; he got into a bro-zone with me. When he stopped pretending to be somebody, I found the magic in him. For the girl, I went through a lot of people and a lot of rejection. Some really good options came to me, but I wanted a girl who comes from a Punjabi background – a city girl with middle-class values. It was after four months that I found Aneet.”
In March, mid-day reported about the similarities between the plots of Saiyaara and filmmaker Anurag Basu’s yet-untitled next with Kartik Aaryan (Many renditions of a rockstar’s romance, March 6). Both films look at how heartbreak influences a musician’s journey.
Ask Suri about the similarities, and he says, “I’m very close to Dada [Basu]. I have worked as an assistant [to him]. So, I met him when he called. He has the right to do that. I went and narrated this film to him. He had started his film and I had finished mine by then. He didn’t seem worried in the least. There was a Rockstar [2011] being made when I was making Aashiqui 2 [2013]. This is not Interstellar [2014] that we would worry about."
Suri had his own challenges in the film, one to live up to his own expectations and secondly to save himself from self- censoring. He says, "You know, there's a really interesting scene in the film where he gets violent with his own father. And I remember while coming in one day I saw Yash ji's statue outside. I called Mahesh Bhatt. I said, 'There's a scene that I'm shooting in the film. And this is a really good production house and I might be pushing (the envelope) too much. Maybe my morality is different, but the father and son in my film are getting violent with each other in the middle of the road'. It's emotional for me because I didn't realize my DP profile was a picture of my hand with my son's hand. And he said that, 'I know what your relation with your father was, and seeing your DP picture I know where it comes from. No matter what you do better, I know you wont get this scene morally wrong. Don't question yourself. I think the morality of the filmmaker cannot be to be agreeable. The audience will always get the honesty of a maker'."
Commerce is a big aspect of a Mohit Suri movie. "You need to make money for people to keep making films. I've been on the film set since I was 17 and I'm 44 today. More than 50% of my life, I've spent on set. I've been directing for 20 years. I have to keep giving that box office so called successes so that I can keep making films for the rest of my life."
We ask him what he thinks is broken in the system that films are not making money? "I think that there needs to be a certain discipline in how much we make a movie. The budgets of it. The problem is creative people are thinking about economics. And economics people are thinking creatively. I find at get-togethers, people talk either about fashion or business. No one's talking about a story. When we were young and our seniors got into parties, they spoke about art. I think now they talk about business and tie ups and profitability. So I think we need to bring the art back. Money will follow."
It’s amazing to see that people have the nostalgia of Aashiqui when they are seeing Saiyaara-Mahesh Bhatt
9:14 AM
Aashiqui filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt shares that he is proud of his protégé Mohit Suri’s latest film, Saiyaara, reminding viewers of his 1990 romantic drama
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; July 14, 2025)
For a filmmaker, few things are as fulfilling as seeing one’s protégé follow in their footsteps. Mahesh Bhatt, who launched director and his nephew Mohit Suri with Zeher (2005) two decades ago, is proud that the latter’s film Saiyaara is reminding viewers of his blockbuster Aashiqui (1990). Just like the 1990 romantic drama had given Bollywood two new faces in Rahul Roy and Anu Aggarwal, the July 18 release will serve as the launchpad for Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda. The similarities don’t end there — both films are musicals.
“When I made Aashiqui, I did it with a lot of purity. I was fortunate that people connected to it and made the two newcomers into overnight stars,” recalls Bhatt. The senior filmmaker expects nothing less from Suri.
“I expect Mohit to do the same with Saiyaara. It’s amazing to see that people have the nostalgia of Aashiqui when they are seeing Saiyaara, but I can tell you that it will rewrite the rules of what a romantic film should be in today’s time. Every new generation must surpass the earlier one. Mohit is my protégé, and I couldn’t be happier if he surpasses me in every way possible.”
In 2013, Bhatt trusted Mohit Suri to take the Aashiqui franchise forward with Aashiqui 2. As Suri has crafted another love story, the veteran filmmaker reveals that he always pushed him to take a punt on newcomers. “I’m thrilled to see him take the plunge with two talented actors. Saiyaara [feels] like a breath of fresh air. That only happens with newcomers,” states Bhatt.
Teaser of Ahaan Panday's debut, Saiyaara, to release on May 30
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Teaser of Ahaan Panday’s Saiyaara to be unveiled tomorrow; maker Aditya Chopra plans an aggressive promotional strategy to launch the newcomer
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; May 29, 2025)
The list of new faces launched by filmmaker Aditya Chopra runs long — from Anushka Sharma to Ranveer Singh and Parineeti Chopra. Now, the producer has bet on Ahaan Panday, actor Ananya Panday’s cousin. The teaser of his debut film, Saiyaara, helmed by Mohit Suri, will be unveiled on May 30.
mid-day has learnt that the producer has planned an aggressive six-week marketing strategy in the run-up to the romantic drama’s release on July 18 as he wants to position Ahaan and leading lady Aneet Padda of Big Girls Don’t Cry (2024) fame as Gen Z icons.
A source says, “Aditya sir wants to launch Ahaan and Aneet as the new faces to watch out for, as he believes in their talent. He has planned on-campus events across colleges in Mumbai, Delhi, Pune, and Chandigarh. A special online series will take social media users through behind-the-scenes content, giving them a glimpse into the lead actors’ journey and their on-screen chemistry.”
The film is produced by YRF CEO Akshaye Widhani.
Anruag Basu, Mohit Suri offer their renditions of a rockstar romance
10:15 AM
Sources say the plot of Anurag Basu’s film with Kartik Aaryan, which traces a musician’s journey of heartbreak and stardom, is similar to director Mohit Suri’s next
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; March 6, 2025)
There has been heightened interest in Kartik Aaryan and director Anurag Basu’s yet-untitled film ever since it was announced—from speculation around its title, to the guessing game about the leading lady. Just as the Aaryan and Sreeleela-led romantic musical went on floors in Film City last week, we heard something interesting about it.
Industry insiders have told us that the film’s plot is similar to director Mohit Suri’s next with debutant Ahaan Panday. Each movie traces the journey of an aspiring musician, who eventually achieves stardom.
Last week, we reported that Suri’s project, backed by Yash Raj Films, is nearing the finish line (End it with a banger, March 1).
A source reveals, “Mohit’s film will be wrapped up by the first week of April whereas Anurag’s romantic musical rolled only a week ago. It has been announced as a Diwali offering. Although producer Aditya Chopra has yet to announce his film’s release, it will certainly hit the screens before the festival.”
That would be a disadvantage for Basu, given the rumoured similarities between the two stories. The source adds, “The commonality has surprised people in the film industry. In Anurag’s movie, Kartik plays a musician, who encounters heartbreak on his journey to becoming a famous rockstar. Mohit and Ahaan’s movie too deals with the same themes.”
Interestingly, Basu and Suri are products of the Bhatts’ school of filmmaking, having made their debuts with Saaya (2003) and Zeher (2005) respectively.
Another source says, “Both movies may have a musician’s love story, but that theme can be explored in so many different ways. The two directors have been in touch over the years and must have consulted each other so that their stories do not overlap.”
These debutants will grace the screen in 2021/2022
8:20 AM
Juhi Chakraborty (HINDUSTAN TIMES; January 4, 2021)
Every year, Bollywood is deluged by talented new actors. But 2020 was an unusual year and many actors’ dream of their much-awaited debuts remained unfulfilled. Now, with things slowly getting back on track and films slated for release on the big screen, many up-and-coming talents are set to be introduced in tinseltown. Here is an introduction of all those who are set to enter the Hindi film industry this year.
Manushi Chhillar
(first from top) The former Miss World is making her acting debut with period film, Prithviraj. She will be seen alongside Akshay Kumar in the film directed by Chandraprakash Dwivedi and which is based on the life or Prithviraj Chauhan. She is playing the role of Prithviraj’s love interest Sanyogita in the period drama.
Ajey Nagar
(second from top) He enjoys massive popularity in the online space, and is known to his army of fans by the name CarryMinati. He is now all set to enter Bollywood with Ajay Devgn- Amitabh Bachchan starrer MayDay.
Shalini Pandey
(third from top) The actor, who rose to fame after starring in Telugu film, Arjun Reddy, is all set to step into the Hindi film industry with Ranveer Singh starrer Jayeshbhai Jordaar. The film is being helmed by debutant writer-director Divyang Thakkar.
Ahan Shetty
(fourth from top) The son of Suniel Shetty is all set to make his presence felt on the silver screen with Tadap. The Milan Luthria-ditected film is the remake of 2018 Telugu film RX 100 and also stars Tara Sutaria.
Lakshya
(extreme right) The TV actor, known for his shows Adhuri Kahani Humari, Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya, Pardes Mein Hai Mera Dil and Porus, is making his entry in Bollywood with Dostana 2. The Karan Johar-prodoced film also stars Kartik Aaryan and Janhavi Kapoor.
Isabelle Kaif
(right; on top) After years of speculation, the younger sister of actor Katrina Kaif is finally being launched by Salman Khan in Kwatha opposite Aayush Sharma. Isabelle She had made her acting debut in a 2014 film called Dr. Cabbie starring Kunal Nayyar, Vinay Virmani, and Adrianne Palicki. She also played a small role in this Indo-Canadian production co-produced by Salman Khan.
Ahaan Panday
The cousin of actor Ananya Panday is reported to make his debut this year with a superhero film which stars Ajay Devgn. The film being directed by Shiv Rawail, grandson of the legendary H.S. Rawail and son of Rahul Rawail, is being planned as a franchise with Pandey as a superhero and Devgn as a super-villain.
Krystle DSouza
(middle; below) The TV actor known for her shows Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri Behna Hai, Ek Nayi Pehchaan and Brahmarakshas, is graduating to films and will be seen in Chehre. The Rumi Jaffery-directed film also stars Amitabh Bachchan, Emraan Hashmi, and Rhea Chakraborty.
Sharvari
The actor, who was seen in web series ‘The Forgotten Army- Azaadi Ke Liye, is making her Bollywood debut with Bunty Aur Babli 2. Sharvari will be paired opposite Siddhant Chaturvedi in Bunty Aur Babli 2, which revolves around two con couples - Siddhant-Sharvari, and Rani Mukerji-Saif Ali Khan. The sequel will take a leap of 10 years, from where the original ended.
Rashmika Mandanna
(extreme right) The actor has starred in Telugu, Kannada and Tamil films, is headed the Hindi film industry way. She will be seen in Mission Majnu. The film stars Sidharth Malhotra as a RAW agent.
Samantha Akkineni
The actor, who works in Tamil and Telugu films, will be entering the Hindi entertainment industry with web show Family Man season 2 with Manoj Bajpaayee, Priyamani, and Sharad Kelkar.
Ajay Devgn's character will have shades of grey in YRF's new action film franchise?
8:13 AM
As Ajay Devgn gears up to spearhead YRF's second franchise after Dhoom, sources say actor to portray a grey character in the actioner
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; September 28, 2020)
The news of Ajay Devgn uniting with Aditya Chopra for his first Yash Raj Films' outing has piqued cinephiles' interest. Certain that all eyes will be on the actioner, the producer wants to present Devgn in a memorable avatar. Sources say that the Shiv Rawail-directed venture will see the superstar portray a grey character.
"While the film marks the debut of Ananya Panday's cousin Ahaan, Ajay leads the show from the front. Taking a cue from the Dhoom franchise where the antagonists have often overshadowed the heroes, Aditya has devised a cool and savvy character with grey shades for Ajay. It will be along the lines of Hrithik Roshan and Aamir Khan's characters in Dhoom 2 [2006] and Dhoom 3 [2013] respectively. Ajay is expected to sport multiple looks, which will involve the use of prosthetics," reveals a trade source.
Contrary to reports suggesting that it is a superhero film, it will be a slick actioner, complete with mean machines and high-octane stunts. If all goes as planned, the movie will serve as the foundation for a new franchise. "Boosted by the success of the Dhoom movies, Adi has been contemplating developing another franchise for long. He knows that Ajay, with his massive fan following, will be one of the safest bets to kickstart an action series. The production house is in talks with Hollywood action director Tom Struthers, who has previously worked on The Dark Knight [2008] and Dunkirk [2017], and South Korean action director SeaYoung Oh of Snowpiercer fame for the project," adds the source.
The actor is expected to begin shooting for the yet-untitled film in early 2021 after he wraps up Maidaan and the Kaithi remake. YRF remained unavailable for comment.
Ananya is a Diwali baby because her birthday is always around the festival-Chunky Panday
8:32 AM
Unlike her ‘naughty’ father, Chunky Panday, Ananya Panday has always been ‘very scared’ of firecrackers. And he feels lucky his daughters are ‘calmer’ than him
Prashant Singh (HINDUSTAN TIMES; October 27, 2019)
They are yet to share the screen-space in a film. After all, Ananya Panday is just one film old [her debut film being this year’s Student Of The Year 2]. But then, what’s a better occasion than Diwali to do something new. And that’s exactly what we decided to do by bringing together father-daughter duo, Ananya and Chunky Panday for an exclusive Diwali special shoot, at the Panday household in Bandra. “It’s lot of fun [to be with my dad]. In fact, whenever we are together, things are chilled out as both of us are extremely comfortable with each other. It doesn’t feel like ‘work’ when I’m working with dad,” says Ananya, even as Chunky quips that wife and daughter always “give him tuitions” before any interview. Excerpts from a chat:What does Diwali mean to you?
Chunky: Family, lots of food, sweets, [symbolising the start of a] New Year, a bit of card parties and, of course, the pooja-paath.
Ananya: In our family — not just us but even my cousins, uncles and aunts — we celebrate every festival: be it Christmas, Easter, Eid, Diwali or our birthdays. But Diwali is really special as everyone really comes together on this festival. For us, it’s absolutely necessary that we all go to everyone’s houses, and light diyas. That has been a long-standing tradition for us. When we were younger, I would enjoy phuljharis, but I have always been very scared of firecrackers. That’s why, I always urge people not to burst crackers.
Chunky: I just don’t believe in burning money (laughs). You should rather give it for charity or something.
Ananya: Also, firecrackers are bad for the environment and we have dogs at home, too, who get very scared during Diwali. So, the only thing that we are against [during the festival] is firecrackers. Also, we live near a hospital so anyway, we all were never allowed to burst firecrackers.
Any special Diwali memories from the childhood?
Ananya: Enjoying phuljharis is the first thing that I can think of from my childhood Diwali days. I was, and still am very scared of fire. One thing that I’ll never forget is how my cousin, Ahaan, and his friends would scare me. Once, I remember, they egged me on to light a rocket, and also came with me, but right before I could light it up, they all left me alone and ran away.
Chunky: Ananya is a Diwali baby because her birthday is always around the festival (smiles). I feel Diwali has become very quiet and subdued now in the sense that we don’t see as many people burst crackers and go crazy about them. But as a kid, we grew up believing that burning crackers was the only way to celebrate the festival.
Ananya: For me, another special memory of Diwali is me, my younger sister, Rysa and my cousin, Alanna dressing up in similar clothes. We would wear the same kind of salwar-kameez. Also, we’d eat a lot of barfis, kaju katlis, visit everyone’s homes and I would also make rangolis.
Chunky: My memories are about doing some really crazy things including throwing crackers at people. At times, we would light up rockets and they would enter people’s houses and cars. Once, when I was about six, living with my grand mom at that time, the house caught fire due to my crackers. Fire brigade was called in, and I got a pasting of my life (laughs). I used to be a real naughty and rough kid when it came to such things. Luckily, I have daughters, who are much calmer (smiles).
Ananya, as compared to the last Diwali, you are celebrating this one as a Bollywood actor. How does it feel?
Ananya: This time, for a change, I had to plan my work schedules around Diwali. Luckily, I am not shooting on the Diwali day and I don’t think anyone would want to do that. But I am working a day before Diwali and then two days post that. But usually, we used to have a week long holiday when I was in school. So, for me, technically, this is a sort of working Diwali. I love my work, so hopefully, I will have a working birthday as well since I’ll be promoting Pati Patni Aur Woh around that time. I feel that will be a great way to ring in my 21st birthday.
Chunky: She has got very busy after the film’s [Student Of The Year 2] release. Just as a father, I feel that this is the age when she should be in a college, maybe study abroad and have fun as she’s just 20. But then, I feel being busy is a great thing. So, there are no complaints about that. On the contrary, I am really happy about it. She recently got an award and I went on the stage to give her that. So, Karan [Johar; filmmaker] asked me to say something ‘emotional’ but I couldn’t, as I knew I’d have started crying if I did. Instead, I cracked jokes on stage.
Both of you are successful as well as busy in your respective careers. But still, any special Diwali wish?
Ananya: It may sound cheesy but I want to stay this happy for the rest of my life because I am really happy and excited right now. Be it work, personal life, friends and family – everything is just perfect. Also, it’s amazing that my dad and I are working at the same time [in the film industry].
Chunky: Sometimes, I feel like asking Ananya, ‘why are you so happy (smiles)?’ I think thanks to her exciting demeanour, she also makes people around her happy. And that’s a great, positive thing to radiate. As for the wish, I pray that all my films do well, but my daughter’s films should do even better. Earlier, I’d pray, ‘may my films work.’ But now, the prayers have changed. I’m sure every parent wants their kid to excel.
Many rue the fact that festivals, especially Diwali, don’t have the same zeal and passion around them…
Ananya: In our house, Diwali will always be the same as we have diyas, lights, rangolis and also our parties to go to. Plus, there will always be an excitement about the outfit and ghar ka pooja. As for not burning crackers, that’s a very smart and sensible decision. The excitement and happiness should be intact but minus the pollution.
Chunky: For us, Diwali is a big traditional festival. So, we still buy new clothes and do the same things that we have always done.
Ananya: And this year, we also have a Diwali release [Housefull 4]. So, that adds a lot of excitement.
Chunky: Yes, it’s the first-ever Diwali release of my career.
Ahaan Panday and Manushi Chhillar are the new friends in Bollywood?
8:07 AM
Nayandeep Rakshit (DNA; August 30, 2018)
Ahaan Panday, Chunky Panday’s nephew, still has a few years before he makes his Bollywood debut, but the young lad is quite popular on social media. The same holds true for Manushi Chhillar, who was crowned Miss World last year. Apparently, both of them have become close friends over the past few months.
Says a source, “Ahaan and Manushi, who hang out with the same bunch of friends, bonded at a common buddy’s party. Since then, they have stayed in touch and have become the best of friends. In fact, Ahaan was even present to ring in Manushi’s birthday earlier this year (May 14).”
Reportedly, Manushi was dating model Rohit Khandelwal, but that buzz died down a few months ago. “Rohit had won the Mr World pageant and he apparently helped Manushi train for her Miss World stint. They were reportedly close to each other for some time before they went their separate ways owing to some differences,” adds the source.
As for Ahaan, he has signed a three-film deal with a big banner and is currently readying himself for showbiz. Manushi, too, is gearing up for a career in movies. A common friend of the two youngsters tells us, “They just love hanging out together.” Guess we have two new friends in B-Town!
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