Mohit Suri's latest romantic drama Saiyaara, starring debutants Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, has struck a chord with both audiences and critics. But according to the filmmaker, Ahaan wasn’t his first choice — in fact, he wasn’t even sure if the newcomer could pull it off.
In a candid conversation with India Today, Suri shared how he went from uncertainty to conviction — all thanks to an unexpected night out.
Mohit Suri On Casting Ahaan Panday In Saiyaara
Mohit Suri revealed that Aditya Chopra had pitched Ahaan Panday to him after reading the Saiyaara script. “Ahaan was in the Yash Raj system and was supposed to do a film with them, which didn’t happen,” Mohit recalled.
“Adi Sir read my script and said, ‘I’ve got just the guy for you.’ But when I met Ahaan, he was so nice and sweet — you didn’t feel he was the character at all.”
Still unsure, Mohit decided to spend more time with Ahaan. “We had a formal dinner and a couple of beers, but I still felt like he was holding something back,” he said.
That’s when Mohit decided to ditch the formality and truly connect. “I told him, ‘Stop calling me sir. Take me into your world.’ We went to a nightclub, and by the end of the night, he was literally sitting on the bar — not the chair, the actual bar. That’s when I saw the spark I needed. That’s the energy I was looking for.”
What Made Mohit Change His Decision?
Even after that night, Ahaan wasn’t immediately cast. “He was told he wasn’t getting the film,” Mohit shared. But something changed when Ahaan thought his audition was over. “He let his guard down — and that’s when I saw who he really was. The character came to life as a blend of the script and Ahaan’s true self.”
About Saiyaara
Saiyaara follows the journey of Krish (Ahaan Panday), an aspiring singer, and Vaani (Aneet Padda), a lyricist who writes for him. Despite their contrasting lives and beliefs, the two share a deep connection. The film explores how two imperfect individuals can create a perfect love story — one built on purity, care, and unconditional emotion.
