Dibyendu Bhattacharya recalls bonding with Saiyaara star Ahaan Panday on sets of 'The Railway Men': 'He used to come to my van and take me to...'

Time of India

a day ago

Veteran actor Dibyendu Bhattacharya reflected on the film industry's unpredictability and praised Ahaan Panday's successful debut in 'Saiyaara.' He fondly recalled Ahaan's time as an assistant director on 'The Railway Men,' emphasizing that genuine emotional connection trumps marketing strategies for a film's success. Dibyendu believes sincerity in filmmaking is key, as predicting audience preferences remains impossible.
Veteran actor Dibyendu Bhattachary, known for his powerful performances in Jamtara, Dev D, and Poachers, recently reflected on the unpredictability of the film industry and the rising star power of debutant
Ahaan Panday
.
The Monsoon Wedding actor recently shared his thoughts on what makes a film connect with audiences—and revisited his warm memories with Ahaan from their time together on the sets of The Railway Men, where the Saiyaara lead was then working behind the scenes as an assistant director.
From AD to Lead Actor
In conversation with News18 Showsha, Dibyendu expressed genuine warmth for Saiyaara and its debutant Ahaan Panday, reflecting on their time together during the shoot of The Railway Men, where Ahaan served as an assistant director.
He recalled how Ahaan often accompanied him to the set and engaged in friendly conversations. Having recently spoken to Ahaan, Dibyendu shared his happiness about the young actor's debut, describing it as the kind of moment one hopes for at the start of a film career.
Why Saiyaara Stood Out
Cracking what truly works in the film industry is no easy feat—many star kids have made their debuts recently, but Ahaan Panday has clearly stood out with an impressive start. Reflecting on his breakthrough,
Dibyendu Bhattacharya
shared his happiness for the young actor, acknowledging the impact Ahaan has made right from the outset.
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The actor further reflected on the unpredictability of the film industry, especially in an era crowded with fresh talent. When asked about Saiyaara becoming a nationwide hit despite limited promotions, he emphasised how there's no clear formula for success. In his view, if there truly were a set code or strategy, then every film—from indie projects to those backed by giants like Warner Bros, Dharma, or Yash Raj—would be a guaranteed hit.
Marketing Can't Beat Emotional Connect
He also pointed out how unpredictable audience preferences can be, stressing that even the most well-planned marketing strategies can fail if a film doesn't strike an emotional chord. He noted that if there truly were a foolproof marketing formula, everyone would be using it. According to him, a genuinely good film should be able to resonate with viewers even without aggressive promotion—because ultimately, it's impossible to predict what will connect with the audience.
For Dibyendu, the only dependable rule in the unpredictable world of cinema is working with sincerity. He believes that filmmakers and actors should focus on giving their best with dedication, while leaving the outcome to destiny—because no one can truly predict which film will succeed or how things will unfold.
What's Next for Dibyendu and Ahaan
On the professional front, Dibyendu Bhattacharya was recently seen in Fateh and Kapkapii. Meanwhile, Ahaan Panday's debut film Saiyaara is on a dream run at the box office, inching close to the Rs 200 crore mark within just a week of its release.