Ananya Panday says her cousin Ahaan Panday never expected his first film to explode. His debut feature ‘Saiyaara’, directed by Mohit Suri, went from a release with no one knowing the cast to a box office juggernaut that earned Rs 500 crore and turned Ahaan and co-star Aneet into overnight sensations.
Ananya reflects on unpredictable success
Speaking at the India Film Project (IFP) festival, Ananya admitted that it is impossible to guess which films will work. “Even with my brother Ahaan’s film ‘Saiyaara’. Before that, no one even knew that this film was coming out. No one knew Ahaan. No one knew Aneet,” she recalled. The same session was covered by Indian media outlets, including the entertainment daily Mid-day, which later reported updates on Ahaan’s upcoming project.Ananya remembered a phone call just days before the release. “I remember speaking to Ahaan 3 to 4 days before the film was coming out. And he was just like, ‘I don’t know what’s gonna happen. I hope people watch my film,’” she said.The result stunned them. “Then it opened to 22 crores. That’s insane. They made history,” she shared. For her, the moment proved how unpredictable the industry can be. She explained that “you really don’t know what’s going to work, what won’t,” which is why success to her means “being the best possible actor that I can be.”
Ahaan’s heartfelt tribute and busy slate ahead
After the success of ‘Saiyaara’, Ahaan dedicated his milestone to his late grandmother, Snehlata Panday. In an emotional Instagram message, he wrote, “Mujhe pata tha… sitaaron mein sitara, ek tanha tara, dadi meri… wahan se dekh kar mujhe… muskuraengi, ye sirf aapke liye hai dadi,” saying the love he feels is something he will carry forever.According to Mid-day, Ahaan is now teaming up with Sharvari for an untitled action drama directed by Ali Abbas Zafar. The film, produced by Aditya Chopra, is set to be filmed across London, Birmingham and Manchester, with additional scenes planned in Leeds.Ananya herself has a packed lineup. She will star with Kartik Aaryan in ‘Tu Meri Main Tera, Main Tera Tu Meri’, followed by ‘Chand Mera Dil’ opposite Lakshya under Dharma Productions. She is also preparing to begin filming for season two of her streaming series ‘Call Me Bae 2’.
