Director Mohit Suri recently revealed a poignant moment during the filming of his latest movie, "Saiyaara," starring newcomers Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda. The film, which has been enjoying considerable success at the box office, provided Suri with a deeply moving experience while shooting a particular scene.
Suri, known for his emotionally resonant and musically driven narratives, recounted an instance during the filming of a quiet piano scene in Madh Island. In the scene, Aneet's character speaks, and Ahaan's character responds by kissing her forehead before leaving. This seemingly simple gesture had a profound impact on Suri.
As soon as the shot was completed, Suri walked away from the monitor and left the set. He approached Sumana, the creative producer, and shared his conviction that they were creating something special. It wasn't pride in his directing prowess but the sheer honesty that Ahaan and Aneet brought to the scene that moved him.
Suri has also spoken about how he generally cries while watching the monitor. However, he doesn't like to talk about it because he feels that many directors start mimicking themselves and cry even when it is not required.
According to Suri, making "Saiyaara" allowed him to reconnect with his core emotions and musical sensibilities. He expressed relief and humility at the audience's positive reception, stating that the collections were an added bonus. The director emphasized that the love and acceptance from the audience were particularly gratifying because he had poured so much of himself into the film.
Suri also shared insights into his decision to keep Ahaan and Aneet away from media interactions before the film's release. He wanted the audience to judge them based on their performances rather than their personal lives. Suri and Yash Raj Films (YRF) believed in showcasing the actors' talent through trailers and songs, allowing them to be assessed on their artistic merits rather than superficial aspects like hairstyles and clothing.
The director has observed a lighter side to Ahaan and Aneet that wasn't fully explored in "Saiyaara". He wants to explore this in the future.
"Saiyaara" marks the Bollywood debut for both Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, who have been praised for their performances. The film's success has turned them into overnight stars, with audience reactions in cinema halls going viral. One such instance included a fan watching the movie with an IV drip.
Adding to the narrative, a video of Aneet Padda at the airport went viral shortly after the film's release. In the video, she expressed shyness to the paparazzi, refusing to remove her mask for photographs. Suri's advice to Aneet was to be honest and authentic, and he encouraged her to express her feelings of shyness. He contrasted this with the pressure on the current generation to always have the right answers and maintain a perfect facade.
