A wave of nostalgia has washed over social media, sparked by the debut of Ahaan Panday in the romantic drama "Saiyaara". Among those reminiscing is Freddy Birdy, who seems to have a specific memory associated with the young actor. While details of Freddy Birdy's exact sentiments are scarce, the premiere of "Saiyaara" has clearly triggered a personal recollection.
"Saiyaara," directed by Mohit Suri, marks the official Bollywood debut for both Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda. The film is a romantic drama exploring themes of love, heartbreak, and redemption. The storyline follows a coming-of-age narrative, characteristic of Suri's signature style. Ahaan plays Krish Kapoor, a talented musician, while Aneet Padda portrays Vaani, a gifted songwriter. Their on-screen chemistry has generated buzz since the release of the film's trailer and music.
The movie has already made a significant impact, exceeding expectations with impressive advance bookings and a strong opening day collection. According to Sacnilk, the film earned ₹20 crore on its release day. The positive word-of-mouth is expected to further boost the film's performance over the weekend.
The film's early reviews have praised its music, emotional depth, and the performances of the lead actors. Some viewers have drawn comparisons to "Aashiqui 2" due to its music, storytelling, cinematography, and overall production quality.
Mohit Suri, known for his musical hits, has acknowledged the positive response from audiences and industry insiders. The director also shared that keeping the two debut actors, Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, away from excessive promotions was a collective decision. The intention was to build curiosity around the lead cast, and this strategy seems to have paid off.
Ahaan Panday is the cousin of actress Ananya Panday and nephew of Chunky Panday. His uncle, Chunky Panday, expressed his support and excitement on Instagram. Palak Muchhal praised the film as a moving journey of emotion and healing and lauded the raw, powerful performances of the debutantes.
"Saiyaara" faces competition from other films, including "Sitaare Zameen Par". Despite the competition, "Saiyaara" has managed to carve out its space with strong advance bookings and positive early reviews.