Why did Saiyaara actor Rajesh Kumar tell Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda that he wants to meet their parents?

Economic Times

24-07-2025

Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda are gaining recognition after 'Saiyaara' success. Rajesh Kumar praised Ahaan's dedication. He also shared his farming experience. Kumar faced bankruptcy but wanted his children to respect farmers. Farming gave him emotional depth for acting. He now shares farming insights on social media. He also educates students about agriculture and sustainable living.
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With the stupendous success of ' Saiyaara ', lead stars Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda have become the talk of the town. The pair has wowed fans with their on-point acting chops and sizzling chemistry. Panday, in particular, has silenced naysayers, who were skeptical about him due to his being an industry kid, with his tour-de-force performance as an up-and-coming musician. In a recent interview with Galatta India, ' Sarabhai Vs Sarabhai ' actor Rajesh Kumar , who essayed the role of Aneet's character Vaani's father, was all praise for his onscreen daughter and Ahaan.Kumar praised Ahaan's dedication and down-to-earth attitude. He revealed that he would apologise to Kumar if any shot had multiple retakes. "There were a few instances where it took three or four takes, and Ahaan came up to me and said, 'Sorry.' I told him, 'Why are you saying sorry? This is your film. I'm here to support you. We're all here to support each other and to bring Mohit's vision to life.' Ahaan never had the 'give-up' attitude..' he said.He revealed that despite being nervous on the sets, Ahaan gave the perfect shot in just the third take. '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," he said.Praising both of his young co-stars, the veteran actor revealed that what made them stand out from their peers was their ability to listen and adapt themselves to the director's vision.He also praised both of his co-stars for their humility and commitment to work. He revealed he told them he wanted to meet their parents. When he met them, he thanked their families for doing such a fine job in bringing them up. "I told both Aneet and Ahaan to make me meet your parents. I just went and thanked them for bringing them up so well, and that is what is reflecting on the screen. They are not corrupted. Having said that, there is a long way for them to go.'He also revealed that Aneet helped him master his diction over Punjabi. She would speak with him in Punjabi on the set to help him become more fluent.Praising both the stars , he said that he was confident that both of them would not let success go to their heads and become 'nakchade' stars.Saiyaara has gone on to become an immense box-office success, earning more than Rs 150 crores in just six days.In the same conversation, the 'Saiyaara' actor opened up on his failed stint as a farmer and dealing with bankrupty. He said he wanted to make sure his children grew up to respect farmers too. 'Despite facing loss in farming, I wanted to prove a point that being a farmer is not a bad thing. I ignored those losses and focused on 'Will my work inspire kids?' To educate them, I went outside my son's school and sold vegetables. It was to show them that no work is small. If they are taught well now, growing up they will respect people who are in this industry. I wanted my children to respect farmers,' he said.Despite his love for farming, his business was an immense loss. He had to take several loans but was not able to pay them off. He admitted that for a time he was totally bankrupt and debt-ridden.Kumar reflected on his journey as a farmer, revealing that the actual process of cultivating crops wasn't the most demanding part of the experience. What truly tested him was persuading people to believe in the value of what he was producing—especially convincing them that his produce was genuinely organic. He found it especially challenging to educate people about the importance of natural farming and the distinctions between organic and natural practices. Despite targeting an audience that was formally educated, he discovered a surprising resistance to learning or conducting independent research on these topics. This struggle became a frustrating cycle for him, as he constantly found himself explaining the relevance of millets, the benefits of natural methods, and why such choices matter.Financially, farming never brought him significant returns. However, it offered something more meaningful—it profoundly impacted his emotional depth and authenticity as an actor. The raw experiences he encountered in the field, the hardships, and the emotional rollercoaster of working the land gave him a reservoir of real-life feelings to draw from in his performances. Instead of relying on artificial prompts to access deep emotions during emotional scenes, he now draws from genuine memories—like the devastation he felt when a fire broke out on his farmland. These moments provide him with a direct emotional trigger, enhancing the truthfulness of his acting.Though he has returned to the world of acting, Rajesh Kumar continues to stay rooted in agriculture. Through his social media presence, particularly Instagram, he regularly shares insights and updates related to farming and gardening. Additionally, he actively participates in educational events, where he speaks to students about the value of agriculture and sustainable living. His commitment to spreading awareness about farming practices remains unwavering, even as he balances it with his career in the entertainment industry.