Director Mohit Suri revealed the unconventional lengths he went to in order to cast Ahaan Panday for his upcoming film, ‘Saiyaara,’ even requiring a few drinks to truly assess his personality.
A Bold Vision for New Faces
Mohit Suri initially pitched ‘Saiyaara’ to YRF head Aditya Chopra with established stars in mind. However, Chopra challenged him, asking why he wasn’t looking for newcomers.
Suri admitted he assumed it wouldn’t be financially viable. Yet, Chopra encouraged him to pursue fresh talent, leading them to ultimately cast Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda. Suri has a track record of successfully launching new faces, as seen with Shraddha Kapoor and Aditya Roy Kapur in ‘Aashiqui 2’ over a decade ago.
The Audition That Didn’t Impress
Suri shared on Cyrus Broacha’s podcast that he auditioned many hopefuls for the lead roles in ‘Saiyaara,’ which he describes as a classic romantic drama, a genre less common now.
He openly stated that Ahaan Panday’s initial formal audition didn’t leave a strong impression. Ahaan, cousin to actor Ananya Panday, presented himself very formally, which didn’t quite reveal the character Suri was seeking.
The ‘Real’ Audition on the Bar
Suri explained that casting often comes down to a director’s instinct on a given day, not just pure talent. After Ahaan’s initial try-out, Suri felt there was something intriguing about him.
So, he suggested they go out for dinner. Suri recounted, “I get him a couple of drinks down, and then he’s taken me to some place in South Bombay with all these kids. And then I see the real Ahaan Panday. And then he’s standing on the bar, and I’m like, ‘This is the guy I want for my film’. That’s the audition that got him selected.”
Saiyaara’s Promising Start
‘Saiyaara,’ which introduces Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, is set to hit theaters this Friday. Early indications suggest a surprisingly strong opening for the film.
The movie has already garnered over Rs 4 crore in advance ticket sales for its opening day. This performance is notable for a film starring newcomers, with expectations for a rare double-digit debut, a feat not often seen for debutant films lately.
- Director Mohit Suri sought newcomers for ‘Saiyaara’ at Aditya Chopra’s encouragement.
- Ahaan Panday’s formal audition didn’t initially impress Suri.
- Ahaan secured his role after Suri witnessed his uninhibited personality during a night out, including standing on a bar.
- ‘Saiyaara’ is showing strong advance ticket sales, indicating a promising box office debut for the new actors.
This unconventional casting story adds a unique chapter to Bollywood’s long history of launching new talent.
