Ahaan Panday recalls one of the toughest challenges while shooting Saiyaara and it’s related to Virat Kohli

Ahaan Panday celebrates the ongoing success of his debut film, Saiyaara, which has been running in theaters for over 50 days. Ahaan, along with Aneet Padda, has received acclaim for his impactful performance, especially in a poignant cricket pitch scene paying tribute to Virat Kohli, which has resonated with fans. Recently, he shared his reflections on filming this significant scene.

In a discussion with The Hollywood Reporter, Ahaan shared that embodying his character, Krish, for this scene was both a challenging and liberating experience. "For the character, I had to tap into things before. During the auditioning process, we'd always create the scenes, so when I was on set, I just let go of everything. I had to let go of the habit of directing myself. I completely surrendered and submitted to sir," he explained.

Ahaan acknowledged that the cricket pitch sequence required him to be completely vulnerable. "I didn't plan anything; we'd just learn the lines on the way because we wanted to be raw and real. We'd learn 80 percent of the lines, because we didn't want it to be very mechanical. There were a couple of days where I was like, 'I have to go back to that; I have to rehearse,' but the greatest thing was Mohit sir trusted us so much."

The scene depicts Krish grappling with his father's health, finding solace in Vaani (Aneet Padda). Amidst this emotional struggle, a symbolic tribute to Virat Kohli was incorporated into the dialogue, which struck a chord with viewers and cricket fans.

The tribute to Virat Kohli in Saiyaara quickly became a standout moment, drawing praise for Ahaan's portrayal of his character's vulnerability and the strength symbolized by the cricket icon. Viewers lauded the scene as a defining moment, enhanced by its impactful background score.

As Saiyaara gears up for its digital debut on Netflix on September 12, 2025, those who missed its theatrical release will soon have the opportunity to experience Ahaan Panday's compelling performance.