Mohit Suri says Saiyaara only scratched Ahaan Panday’s surface: ‘Full chapri hai yeh ladka’

Mohit Suri, the man behind the 2025 blockbuster Saiyaara, recently opened up about the lead cast—Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda and how audiences haven’t seen half of what they’re capable of. Speaking to Komal Nahta in a detailed chat, Suri shared a moment from the shoot that stayed with him. It was day 30 of filming, and nearly half the film was already done. Ahaan suddenly turned to creative producer Sumanna and asked, “Maine kya kiya tha audition mein? Aisa toh koi audition diya hi nahi tha maine. Mujhe bola gaya tha, you are the right one.”

Mohit Suri admitted, “Sir, maine toh ek dimension hi inmein tap nahi kiya hai.” He added that Ahaan has far more energy than what Saiyaara required. “He has a whole different side—the way he dances, he’s a gallery man. Aapne woh videos dekhe nahi jo usne pull down kar diye. TikToker hai yeh ladka. Full chapri hai. He’s a loud, out-there, galleried, Gaiety Galaxy boy jo Bandra mein hai,” Suri said, hinting that the real Ahaan is far more flamboyant and masaledar than what we saw onscreen.

Interestingly, that side of Ahaan never made it to Saiyaara, a romantic drama built on emotional restraint. But Suri hopes to tap into this version of him in future projects.

The director also praised Aneet Padda, revealing that her comic timing surprised him. While the film showcased her in a rather intense role, Suri hinted at a lighter, quirkier side to her as well.

Meanwhile, Saiyaara continues to dominate the box office. In just 11 days, the film has grossed ?404 crore globally. It has now surpassed the lifetime numbers of Kabir Singh (?379 crore) and Sitaare Zameen Par (?264 crore), making it the highest-grossing romantic film in Indian cinema.

With newcomers Ahaan and Aneet becoming household names overnight, Suri's revelations offer a curious peek into what audiences might expect next. The director’s candid remarks hint that while Saiyaara captured hearts, its stars have more layers yet to be explored.