Mohit Suri reveals Ahaan Panday's original debut film before Saiyaara was shelved by YRF: 'It killed his pride'

Before the box office triumph of Saiyaara, Ahaan Panday’s journey to the big screen was anything but smooth. While the newcomer is now basking in the success of his debut, director Mohit Suri recently revealed that Ahaan was originally set to be launched by YRF in a grand project that was ultimately shelved after the pandemic.

Seven years in the making

In conversation with Komal Nahta, the director revealed that Ahaan had been training with YRF for nearly seven years and was initially set to debut with a grand, larger-than-life project. However, the film was shelved due to the industry’s shift post-pandemic, altering the course of Ahaan’s launch in Bollywood.


Saiyaara Movie Review

A heartbreaking setback

According to Mohit, the sudden shelving of Ahaan’s debut film deeply affected him. The excitement of being launched by a major banner like YRF quickly turned into heartbreak, as people began questioning his earlier claims and doubting his future—leaving the young actor shaken and humbled.

Suri further revealed that after the pandemic, Aditya Chopra assured Ahaan that his faith in his talent remained unchanged and even encouraged him to explore opportunities outside YRF if he wished. However, Ahaan was determined to be launched only by YRF—and in the end, his persistence paid off.

A box office breakthrough

Meanwhile, Saiyaara, starring Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, shows no signs of losing steam. The Mohit Suri-directed romantic drama has stormed the box office, crossing the ₹200 crore mark in just nine days. Now steadily inching toward the ₹300 crore club, it’s a remarkable achievement for a debutant-led film.

The story that won hearts

Released on July 18, 2025, Saiyaara had a modest start but quickly picked up pace, fueled by strong word-of-mouth and its emotionally resonant storyline. The film traces the journey of Krish Kapoor, a struggling musician, and Vaani Batra, a soulful poet, as they grapple with love, loss, and healing. The palpable chemistry between debutants Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda has earned widespread praise, cementing a strong start to their Bollywood careers.

The supporting cast—featuring Rajesh Kumar, Varun Badola, Alam Khan, Sid Makkar, and Shaan Groverr—has also earned praise for their impactful performances. Blending emotional depth with Mohit Suri’s signature storytelling, Saiyaara has struck a powerful chord with audiences, making it one of 2025’s most unexpected and celebrated box office successes.