Ahaan Panday would apologise after extra takes, he is not ‘nakchada or corrupted', says Saiyaara co-star Rajesh Kumar: ‘Aneet Padda, Ahaan will be relevant for next 25-30 years'

Indian Express

23-07-2025

Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda are the newest stars in Bollywood. With their first film Saiyaara, they are both making and breaking records at the box office. Even challenging the business of several films led by the OGs Akshay Kumar, Salman Khan and Aamir Khan. In just five days of its release, the Mohit Suri film managed to earn over Rs 132 crore in India with a surprising Rs 24 crore and Rs 25 crore on first Monday and Tuesday. This was also one of the rarest times when a star kid led the film and didn't receive hate or criticism as such (barring a few trolls). Their success has also created curiosity around their personalities, pay, and struggle. Now, Aneet's on-screen father in Saiyaara, Rajesh Kumar, has opened up about his experience of working with these newcomers.
In a conversation with Galatta, the actor said, 'I told both Aneet and Ahaan that make me meet your parents. I just went and thanked them for bringing them up so well and that is what is reflecting on screen. They are not corrupted. Having said that, there is a long way for them to go.'
Recalling the first day of shoot, Rajesh shared, 'Ahaan was so nervous before his first shot. We shot that together. The ones who have watched the film will remember the scene where he quietly hands me a bag. That was his first shot for the film. But, he did it so well in just the third take. After the shot ended, people clapped for him and then he felt relaxed.'
Speaking about Aneet, Rajesh shared, 'When I was first introduced to Aneet, Mohit told me she will solve my Punjabi problem in case I want to stick to that language for that movie as we are Batras in it. And then till the time we were shooting together, she would speak to me in hardcore Punjabi. She asked me to call her 'puttu' in place of beta in the movie.
He shared he meets the newcomers as a student as they come with extreme preparation. 'The new generation of actors are extremely groomed. They are pake hue, manjhe hue kalakaar. Barring a few, who might have not prepared as much. But the number of newcomers I have worked with are ready for the market, and Bollywood. I can tell you that these are the faces who are going to be relevant for the coming 25-30 years. Their ability to adapt things is exceptional. And these are the actors who have worked hard for success.'
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He then shared how both the actors are extremely grounded despite the success. 'If you look into Aneet's interviews, you will see that she is yet to believe that her film is working wonders. When people realise things late, success doesn't take over them. These people are so grounded that I don't think Aneet or Ahaan will ever be a 'nakchade' (snooty) stars. They will be sought after actors.' He claimed, 'Ahaan has exceptional screen presence and heroism.'
Sharing the secret behind Saiyaara becoming a success, Rajesh shared, 'Mohit would wait until he got the shot he had visualised. Everytime, we took a shot for over four times, Ahaan would walk forward and apologise. He didn't have a 'give up' attitude. This film was all about trust. This film was all about YRF believing in Mohit Suri. And Mohit Suri believing in this new couple and the supporting cast. We never thought it would be a blockbuster. '
Sharing his favourite scene from the film, the Sarabhai vs Sarabhai actor shared, ' My most favourite scene is when Ahaan walks in to the concert. I was fida on it. The shot was crazy.'