Ahaan Panday Says Cousin Ananya Panday Never Advised Him Before Saiyaara: “But Her Journey Inspires Me”

Actor Ahaan Panday, who made an impressive debut earlier this year with the musical romantic drama Saiyaara, has opened up about the role his cousin Ananya Panday played in shaping his mindset—even if she never directly guided him before his first film.

Ahaan, who starred opposite Aneet Padda, earned significant attention for his performance, with Saiyaara becoming a box-office success and establishing him as one of the promising newcomers of 2025. On release day, Ananya publicly celebrated his milestone, humorously calling herself the newest member of his fan club.

“Ananya Never Gave Me Advice, But Her Journey Inspires Me”

In a candid conversation with GQ, Ahaan spoke about the admiration he holds for Ananya’s career trajectory.

“Ananya’s never personally given me advice, but her journey has inspired me,” Ahaan said. “People forget how young she was when she started. She has grown with the industry and evolved so much as an artist. Watching your little sister move mountains—that just makes you proud.”

Ahaan added that witnessing Ananya navigate Bollywood at a young age gave him confidence and motivation during his early acting days.

Family’s Initial Concerns About His Acting Career

Ahaan shared that he faced some hesitation from his family when he first expressed his desire to become an actor.

“I was 16 when I gave my first audition,” he recalled. “At that time, Ananya wasn’t even working yet; she’s a year younger and hadn’t started Student of the Year. My parents weren’t keen on me joining the industry.”

He also acknowledged the influence of his uncle, actor Chunky Panday, whose long career included both highs and lows.
“My dad saw that and wondered if this was the right path for me,” Ahaan said, offering insight into the family discussions behind his decision.

Ahaan’s Debut Film Saiyaara and What’s Next

Saiyaara tells the story of Krish Kapoor (Ahaan), an aspiring musician, and Vaani Batra (Aneet Padda), a reserved writer, whose love story takes emotional and unexpected turns. The film received praise for its refreshing pairing, soulful soundtrack, and strong performances from the new cast.

Ahaan is now preparing for his next project—an action thriller in which he stars opposite Sharvari.

Meanwhile, Ananya Panday, who was last seen in Kesari Chapter 2, is gearing up for her upcoming romantic drama Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri alongside Kartik Aaryan.