Mohit Suri, the director of the recently released romantic drama Saiyaara, starring debutants Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, has revealed his reasons for choosing Aneet for the lead role. Suri, known for his intense and emotionally charged romances, such as Aashiqui 2 and Ek Villain, disclosed that he was looking for a fresh face, someone "untouched" by cosmetic procedures.
According to Suri, casting Aneet was a process that took nearly five months. He emphasized the importance of finding a young actress, around 20-22 years old, who hadn't undergone any cosmetic enhancements to her face or body, a quality he found increasingly rare in today's age. This "major requirement" stemmed from his vision for the character and the film's overall authenticity.
Aneet Padda, a 22-year-old actress from Amritsar, has become a sensation after Saiyaara's release. Before landing the lead role, she had a small role in the 2022 film Salaam Venky and gained recognition for her role in the 2024 web series Big Girls Don't Cry. She also recorded her first song, "Masoom," in 2024 and appeared in the TV show Yuva Sapno Ka Safar.
Reports suggest that Aneet impressed Mohit Suri and the top executives at Yash Raj Films (YRF) during her audition, leading to her being quickly cast in the role opposite Ahaan Panday. The film marks Suri's return to the romantic drama genre and features both Ahaan and Aneet in their debut roles.
Saiyaara revolves around Krish Kapoor (Ahaan Panday), an aspiring singer-composer, and Vaani Batra (Aneet Padda), a journalist who gives words to his tunes. Their whirlwind romance faces obstacles, exploring themes of love, memories, and mental health.
Suri's choice to cast newcomers reflects his belief in giving fresh talent a chance and staying relevant. He feels that working with newcomers allows him to learn and maintain a fresh perspective. For Saiyaara, he wanted youngsters to portray first love and the decisions one makes between love and career.
Saiyaara has received positive reviews, with many praising Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda for their performances. Critics have noted their ability to portray the younger generation as rooted, rational, and responsible individuals. Aneet, in particular, has been lauded for her dramatic depth and ability to make audiences laugh and cry.
The film has also had a strong debut at the box office, earning ₹20 crore on its opening day and outperforming initial predictions. Some reports indicate even higher first-day earnings of ₹21.25 crore. The film has been described as the biggest opening day release ever for a debutant-led film and the highest opening day for a love story. Saiyaara's success is attributed to its fresh casting, emotional storytelling, and lilting music.
