Ahaan Panday, who emerged as one of the promising debutants for his performance in Mohit Suri’s Saiyaara, recently reflected on shaping his character, Krish Kapoor, and the quiet, grounded mindset he shared with co-star Aneet Padda while filming the romantic drama.Speaking to Grazia India, Ahaan revealed that both he and Aneet were acutely aware of the odds stacked against newcomers. He said,“Aneet and I even discussed this on set—that even if only two people walked out of the theatre feeling something, we’d done our job. We knew that we couldn’t expect audiences to flock in to watch two newcomers on the screen.”The actor recalled how those conversations helped them stay focused on the work rather than box-office expectations.
Writing Krish Kapoor into existence
Ahaan also opened up about the intense preparation he put into understanding Krish Kapoor, a struggling musician navigating love and heartbreak.“I had a diary where I wrote extensively about Krish and how I wanted him to be—things about him and what he was feeling before scenes. There was this one thing written in bold letters on top of it: The softness and masculinity for Krish.”He explained that this emotional layering became especially important as the story progressed.According to Ahaan, while the script had emotional depth, he felt something essential needed to be added to his performance.“When I read the script, I noticed there was no softness. There was more of a duality, and how this man changes for her, so I was clear that in the second half, I have to bring that softness and vulnerability because it was missing,” he concluded.
A quiet beach conversation with Aneet Padda
Recalling a poignant moment during the shoot, Ahaan shared how he and Aneet discussed their anonymity as actors.“On set, Aneet and I were sitting on the beach, and I told her, ‘You know, no one knows my face. Nobody knows your face,’ even though she’d done phenomenal work before. We want recognisable faces.”That conversation, he said, reinforced their belief in the emotional power of storytelling.
Ahaan added that their shared philosophy kept them grounded throughout the shoot.“I remember telling her that whatever happens, all that matters is that one person leaves the cinema hall feeling something—that they’re moved. That’s our job as artists.”Reflecting on the film’s success, he admitted the response surpassed their expectations.“By the grace of God and as a gift from them, the audiences flocked to the cinema halls. That’s the dream of an artist: to be appreciated for your work. I couldn’t have asked for a better debut.” Produced by Yash Raj Films and directed by Mohit Suri, Saiyaara explores themes of love, loss, and heartbreak. The film stars Ahaan Panday as Krish Kapoor and Aneet Padda as Vaani Batra, a young writer diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease.
