Director Mohit Suri recently shared the intriguing story behind casting fresh faces Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda in his hit film, Saiyaara, a decision strongly encouraged by producer Aditya Chopra.
A New Vision for Love Stories
Mohit Suri initially planned to cast established stars for his romantic film, especially after the pandemic made the box office challenging for Hindi cinema. He had even approached some actor friends who were willing to join the project.
However, when he pitched the story to Aditya Chopra at Yash Raj Films, Chopra had a different vision. He believed the film needed younger actors, in their early twenties, rather than the more seasoned stars Mohit had in mind. This was a bold move, considering the general industry belief that only big names could guarantee audience turnout.
Aditya Chopra convinced Mohit that despite YRF’s access to top stars, this particular story would resonate best with newcomers. He even offered to invest in the project himself, proving his faith in the concept and the new talent.
Finding Ahaan Panday
Ahaan Panday auditioned for Saiyaara by performing scenes from popular films like Kabir Singh and Ae Dil Hai Mushkil. While his performances were good, Mohit wasn’t fully convinced, feeling that such auditions don’t truly reveal an actor’s originality.
Mohit politely expressed his reservations to Aditya Chopra. Later, during a casual dinner, Mohit saw Ahaan naturally transform into the character around 3 AM. This unscripted moment changed Mohit’s perception, and the very next morning, he confirmed Ahaan for the role.
Discovering Aneet Padda
Casting the female lead, Vaani, proved to be equally challenging. Mohit had a very specific idea for the character: a simple Punjabi girl with strong values who still embraced modern times, someone who would be home by 8:30 PM.
After many auditions, Mohit finally found Aneet Padda. Her very first audition, a self-tape shot on a mobile phone, was “brilliant.” YRF’s casting director, Shanoo Sharma, then worked closely with Aneet, and all her subsequent auditions showcased her unique originality, making her the perfect choice for Vaani.
- Aditya Chopra championed casting young, fresh faces in Saiyaara, defying industry trends.
- Ahaan Panday secured his role after an unplanned moment off-set convinced director Mohit Suri.
- Aneet Padda’s raw talent shone through a self-recorded audition, perfectly embodying the character Mohit envisioned.
The success of Saiyaara demonstrates that genuine storytelling and compelling performances by new talent can truly connect with audiences, paving the way for more diverse casting in the future.
