Millions of people nationwide have fallen in love with him thanks to Saiyaara, and Ahaan Panday is still processing this new reality. After his first movie became one of the most popular love stories in Indian cinema history, the actor was thrown into celebrity.
But the triumph followed a personal setback that destroyed his self-esteem. The 27-year-old disclosed in a recent interview that he was adrift after losing a loved one prior to his debut. Ahaan had to endure a tumultuous few years before to Saiyaara, during which his acting debut was repeatedly postponed.
At the same time, this personal loss occurred. “I would have to tell myself to [keep the faith] because things weren’t going the way I wanted them to,” he said to The Hollywood Reporter India.
“I was devastated by something that happened in my personal life. My backbone was a very important person who [went away]; she was the only person in my home who called me a hero every day and always meant it. And I believe that confidence began to erode when she (died); the only way to cope with it was to simply continue working, which is exactly what I did.”
Later, Ahaan disclosed that the individual he was referring to was his grandmother, Snehlata Pandey, who was the mother of his uncle Chunky Panday and father Chikki. Three years prior to Ahaan signing Saiyaara, she passed away in July 2021.
Before being chosen for Mohit Suri’s Saiyaara, Ahaan served as an assistant director on a number of films. “I would always remind myself that for millions of people, helping on a set is their dream. Most individuals didn’t have the luxury of being able to pursue art, but I did. That sustained me,” he continued.
Ahaan was eventually seen by Aditya Chopra, the head of Yash Raj Films, who pledged to launch him. Mohit Suri’s Saiyaara, in which he costarred with fellow rookie Aneet Padda, was the result of that pledge.
With ₹563 crore, the musical love story broke box office records. It is currently the highest-grossing love tale in Indian cinema history as well as the highest-grossing movie directed by up-and-coming artists.