Ali Abbas Zafar praises ‘Saiyaara’ actor Ahaan Panday, calls him a rare old-school romantic hero in the making

Filmmaker Ali Abbas Zafar, who is all set to direct Ahaan Panday in his upcoming untitled project, has heaped praise on the actor, saying he brings a kind of old-school honesty to his performances reminiscent of the romantic heroes we have grown up watching.

Zafar said: "What I love about Ahaan is his sincerity. In today's time, when everything can feel performative and an act, he brings a kind of old-school honesty to his performances, like the romantic heroes we have grown up watching and loving."




"The camera picks up on that. You can't act vulnerable on screen, it doesn't land and he isn't afraid to be vulnerable which is incredible."

Ali added: "Audiences have connected with Ahaan because he's not trying to impress them. He's simply present in the moment. There's a softness to him but also strength. That balance is what makes people root for him, especially in love stories."

He genuinely believes Ahaan has the potential to become one of those "rare romantic heroes who make you feel something long after the film ends."

Ahaan will start Ali's film on March 30 in Mumbai and then head to the UK to shoot for about 60 days for this action entertainer that also features a powerhouse young actor, Sharvari, opposite him.

Ali thinks Ahaan has a certain vulnerability that makes him perfect for a genre like this.

The filmmaker said: "A true romantic hero is not defined by softness - he is defined by emotional intensity and this translates beautifully into action. Romance gives a hero grace. Action gives him fire. When grace and fire meet, it is a potent combination for audiences to see an entirely new side to Ahaan that they have haven't seen."

"Ahaan has vulnerability in his eyes - and that's what makes an action-romance powerful."

He added that the audiences don't just want to see punches thrown on screen, they want to see and feel the purpose behind the punch.

"If the hero is fighting for what he believes in, what he loves and wants to protect, the action has far greater emotional stakes. People connect to it on a deeper emotional level."Get the latest entertainment updates from the Times of India, along with the latest Hindi movies, upcoming Hindi movies in 2026 , and Telugu movies.”