Ahaan Panday's debut in Mohit Suri's Saiyaara has been a box office success, grossing over ₹300 crore in India and exceeding ₹500 crore worldwide. The film, also starring Aneet Padda, has turned both actors into overnight sensations.
Yash Raj Films (YRF) casting director Shanoo Sharma, who played a key role in discovering and training Ahaan, revealed the actor underwent extensive preparation for his role. Sharma disclosed that Ahaan trained for three years before the COVID-19 pandemic caused delays to his debut.
Sharma shared that actress Sharvari, who debuted in Bunty Aur Babli 2 in 2021, was also part of this training. "The first three years went into training," Sharma explained. "We trained, and we trained, and Sharvari was also on that bandwagon. So we got Sharvari and him to do improvisation and scenes, and scenes, and scenes. So I was training them personally".
Sharma also recounted an initial reluctance from Ahaan to even meet with her. She spotted him in a post and found him interesting, but Ahaan initially refused to come in because he "was tanned, looking dark, and thought we'd reject him". Sharma, however, knew from the moment they met that they would work together. She recognized his potential and his unique charm. "He has this need to constantly just do what he wants to do without any filters. He has this knack of charming you into doing what he needs—and this was there since day one," Sharma added.
The pandemic-related delays were a challenging period for Ahaan. Sharma acknowledged that Ahaan saw his peers moving forward in their careers, which "must have irked him within". However, she emphasized that Ahaan's spirit remained unbroken. To gain experience during this waiting period, Ahaan worked as an assistant director on The Railway Men.
Saiyaara tells the love story of an aspiring singer, played by Ahaan, and a songwriter, portrayed by Aneet. The film features a vulnerable male protagonist, a departure from traditional Bollywood heroes. India Today noted that Ahaan's character "weeps, waits, and he lets go. He hurts in silence. He feels deeply, like the heroines once did in classic cinema".
Ahaan's journey to stardom has been nine years in the making. His dedication and perseverance, coupled with rigorous training and Shanoo Sharma's guidance, have culminated in the success of Saiyaara.
