Ahaan Panday reflects on struggles and setbacks before Saiyaara: 'I felt wronged by people'

Ahaan Panday talks about his struggles

Actor Ahaan Panday became an overnight sensation with the stellar performance of Krish Kapoor in the blockbuster film Saiyaara. However, the actor’s road to stardom wasn’t paved smoothly. He faced a few roadblocks to finally get his dream debut.

Ahaan was scheduled to make his acting debut years before Mohit Suri’s film. However, he never had luck because opportunities were missed and projects were put on hold.

In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter India, Ahaan claims that he felt wronged by others. The actor admitted, “Have I felt wronged by people? Yes, I have. It wouldn’t be right for me to get personal about that, though, but as an actor, that’s where you take [inspiration] from.”

The actor elaborated, “I would take a small moment and enlarge that for the character. I just kept putting myself into different things. There was that blind optimism, the first four-five years, where I was entirely delusional, and I think people around me could sense it.”

Ahaan got the role after Aditya Chopra, the head of Yash Raj Films, approached Ahaan's parents, Chikki and Deanne Panday, with an offer to launch the star kid with Saiyaara.

The actor shared, “Eventually, I got this opportunity. I would always remind myself: to assist on a set is a dream for millions. To be able to pursue art is a luxury; most people didn’t get to do that, I did. That kept me going.”

He added, “I got to be on a film set, I got to learn from other actors. I didn’t ever think it would be this [big]. I was happy doing this; I was never sour or bitter that things weren’t going my way, because I got to be on a set.”

Directed by Mohit Suri and produced by Yash Raj Films, Ahaan and Aneet delivered stellar performances as two souls grappling with their pasts, which have received widespread praise from both critics and viewers.

Also Read: Saiyaara actor Aneet Padda reveals she secretly recorded auditions, says 'I told my parents I was doing homework'

Ahaan Panday makes his big-screen debut as Krish Kapoor, a musician seeking personal and professional redemption, while Aneet Padda brings depth to Vaani Batra, a journalist confronting her inner struggles.

Saiyaara broke box office records and became the highest-grossing film led by newcomers and also the highest-grossing love story in Indian cinema history. The film collected Rs 563 crore gross worldwide, becoming the second-highest-grossing Indian film of 2025.