Ahaan Panday's debut film, "Saiyaara," has become a box office sensation, exceeding expectations and solidifying his place as a rising star in Bollywood. The romantic drama, directed by Mohit Suri and co-starring Aneet Padda, has not only resonated with audiences but has also broken several records for a newcomer-led film. Amidst the film's widespread success, a short film featuring Ahaan Panday alongside his uncle, Chunky Panday, has resurfaced on social media, drawing attention to Ahaan's early acting endeavors.

"Saiyaara" has taken the box office by storm since its release on July 18, 2025. The film earned ₹25 crore on its opening day in India, attracting approximately 9.75 lakh viewers. This marked the biggest opening day for a Hindi film led by debutants, surpassing the previous record held by "Dhadak". The film's success continued throughout the week, with consistent footfalls at theaters. By Tuesday, its total earnings had reached ₹132.25 crore in India. After a week in theaters, "Saiyaara" has earned ₹172.5 crore.

Internationally, "Saiyaara" has also garnered significant momentum. By Monday, the film's global collections reached ₹220 crore, including ₹37 crore from overseas markets. This impressive performance has led "Saiyaara" to surpass the lifetime global collections of "Aashiqui 2" and enter the ₹150 crore club, making it the fifth Hindi film of 2025 to achieve this milestone. The film's strong music and appeal to younger audiences have been cited as key factors in its success.

As "Saiyaara" continues its successful run, a 2016 short film titled "Fifty," starring Ahaan Panday and his uncle Chunky Panday, has resurfaced online. Directed by Manav Chauhan, "Fifty" features Chunky Panday as Ajay Salve, a character diagnosed with cancer who must arrange funds for treatment. Ahaan Panday plays the younger version of Ajay in the film. The short film's reappearance has provided a glimpse into Ahaan's early acting work, with many praising his dedication and potential. Social media users have commented on Ahaan's growth as an actor since "Fifty," with one fan noting, "We can see he’s worked on himself &...". Some have noted the film popped up in their recommendations after listening to "Saiyaara" songs.

The resurgence of "Fifty" has also sparked discussions about Ahaan Panday's family connections and his journey in the film industry. In the past, Ahaan had expressed a desire to establish his own identity, separate from his uncle's established career. Ahaan's father is Aloke Sharad Panday, also known as Chikki, who is Chunky Panday's younger brother. Ahaan's cousin, Ananya Panday, Chunky's daughter, made her Bollywood debut in 2019 with "Student of the Year".

The success of "Saiyaara" and the renewed interest in "Fifty" highlight Ahaan Panday's growth as an actor and his rising popularity in Bollywood. "Saiyaara" has outperformed films such as "Gangubai Kathiawadi", "Stree", and "Airlift". With "Saiyaara" continuing to draw audiences and "Fifty" offering a glimpse into his past work, Ahaan Panday is definitely one to watch.