Mohit Suri’s romantic drama Saiyaara, produced by Yash Raj Films, has turned into one of the biggest blockbusters of 2025. With fresh faces Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda in lead roles, the film has collected over ₹500 crore worldwide, becoming the second Indian film of the year to achieve this milestone after Chhaava starring Vicky Kaushal.
The movie not only made both debut actors overnight stars but also connected deeply with audiences through its emotional storyline. Now, in her first interview after the film’s success, Aneet Padda has opened up about five important and personal stories from her life and career journey. From her struggles with mental health to a special memory about her grandfather, she shared details that fans had never heard before.
The 22-year-old actress revealed that before Saiyaara, she was battling anxiety and depression. She explained that although acting was always her dream, she struggled for three years before finally enjoying the process while shooting this film.
“I started enjoying acting with Saiyaara. Before this, I had terrible anxiety and depression,” she admitted. Despite her struggles, Aneet never gave up on her passion. She recalled recording auditions secretly in her room while telling her parents she was studying. Coming from a modest background, she knew her parents could not afford to take her to Mumbai for auditions, so she prepared on her own.
Her childhood dream of becoming an actress kept her going. “I always wanted to act. Even when things were difficult at home, I believed I had to do this for myself,” she said. This determination paid off when she got her big break with Saiyaara.
Aneet also shared a sweet story about a wish she made with her co-star Ahaan Panday before the film was confirmed. The two visited Mount Mary Church in Mumbai, lit a candle, and made a silent wish while sitting in the car outside. Just a week later, Aneet received the life-changing call that she had been chosen for the film. For her, this moment felt magical and reinforced her belief in dreams and prayers.
One of the most touching revelations from Aneet was about her grandfather. In Saiyaara, her character Vaani suffers from Alzheimer’s disease. For Aneet, this storyline felt very personal because her grandfather is also living with the condition.
She shared, “My dadu is at a stage where he doesn’t remember most things, but he still calls me by his pet names for me, like Heeraput or Makkhan. He may forget my name, but he never forgets the love.” Aneet said this made the film even more meaningful for her, because its theme — “the mind forgets, but the heart never does” — reminded her of her grandfather every day on set.
The actress also became emotional while remembering the final day of shooting. She and Ahaan Panday broke down in tears as they completed their last scene together. “We were both crying. People around us kept saying we still had promotions and shoots left, but it felt like the year-long journey we had lived together was suddenly ending,” she explained. For Aneet, the film was not just a debut project but also a deeply emotional experience that shaped her both as an actress and as a person.
With its powerful story and heartfelt performances, Saiyaara won praise from both audiences and critics. The film currently holds an IMDb rating of 7.9, which is impressive for a debut film with new actors. The on-screen chemistry between Ahaan and Aneet, along with Mohit Suri’s signature style of romantic storytelling, struck a chord with viewers.
The good news for fans who missed watching it in theatres is that the film is expected to release on OTT soon. Reports suggest that Saiyaara will be available for streaming on Netflix in September 2025. However, the exact release date has not yet been officially confirmed by the makers. Given its massive success in theatres, the film’s OTT release is expected to draw a huge audience online as well.
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Aneet Padda’s five personal stories — her mental health battle, her determination to act despite family struggles, the special wish at Mount Mary, her emotional connection with her grandfather, and the tearful goodbye on the last day of shooting — reveal the depth behind her success. For fans, these stories show that behind the glamour of cinema lies a young woman who worked hard, overcame difficulties, and poured her heart into her first film.
Her openness about anxiety and depression is also important, as it sends a message to others facing similar issues that it is possible to come out stronger and achieve dreams. With her debut film already a blockbuster, Aneet has not only made a place for herself in Bollywood but also inspired fans with her honesty and resilience.
As audiences wait for Saiyaara to arrive on OTT, Aneet’s heartfelt revelations make the film’s success feel even more special. For her, this is just the beginning of what promises to be a bright career in Indian cinema.
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