With a dream run at the box office and glowing reviews from both critics and the audience, Saiyaara has turned debutant actors Aneet Padda and Ahaan Panday into overnight stars. Videos of jam-packed theatres have gone viral on social media, further fuelling the buzz around the film. Their newfound stardom has also put them on the paparazzi radar, who now throng the stars for photos every time they step out in Mumbai.
Recently, Aneet Padda appeared visibly shocked when she saw a sea of photographers waiting outside her salon. The actor, who had covered her face with a mask, was guided safely through the crowd. She was dressed in casuals, sporting blue denim and a matching shirt. However, a moment from the video became a matter of contention among fans — when a fan asked her for a selfie as she stepped out of the salon, the 22-year-old politely declined. While some called her arrogant, others defended her as a newcomer still adjusting to the spotlight. This marked one of her first public appearances since the movie’s release, and she was seen visiting the salon with a friend.
Aneet’s new fans rose to her defence. One user wrote, “She is not used to camera and paparazzi, let’s give her some time. Also, YRF restricted them from any media interactions.” Another fan commented, “This is her first time, guys… she isn’t used to this. Nepo kids get years of media training and shayad wo nervous hogi.”
Saiyaara has been a box office sensation since its release. The film surpassed the collections of big-ticket releases like Sikandar, Kesari, Jaat, and others. It has collected Rs 153.25 crore within just six days of release. Apart from strong word-of-mouth, the film also received a boost after several celebrities endorsed it on social media, including Alia Bhatt, Shraddha Kapoor, Varun Dhawan, and Ranveer Singh.
The romance drama is directed by Mohit Suri, known for helming popular romantic films like Ek Villain, Aashiqui 2, and others. The film is backed by Yash Raj Films (YRF).
In an earlier interaction with Bollywood Hungama, Mohit Suri revealed that he chose to cast Aneet because he wanted a young girl for the role who hadn’t gone under the knife and looked natural. He said, “I’m sorry if I don’t sound politically correct, but one thing that was very scary was that I wanted a 20–22-year-old girl who hadn’t done anything cosmetological to her face or body in today’s age. That was a big requirement.”
