Mohit Suri reveals Ahaan Panday was initially dropped from Saiyaara: "He was too sweet, didn’t feel like the character"

Director Mohit Suri’s latest romantic drama Saiyaara, featuring fresh faces Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, has been making waves with both critics and audiences. But surprisingly, Mohit wasn’t always sure Ahaan was the right fit for the lead role.

In a recent interview with India Today, Mohit opened up about how Ahaan came to be part of the film, and the long road it took to see him as the character. The director shared that it was Aditya Chopra who first suggested Ahaan for the role.

"Ahaan was part of the Yash Raj system and was originally supposed to do a film with them, which eventually didn’t happen,” Mohit said. “When Adi Sir read the script of Saiyaara, he asked me, ‘Would you consider Ahaan for this?’ I had always wanted newcomers, and Adi Sir told me, ‘I’ve got just the guy for you.’”

But Mohit wasn't immediately sold. “When I first met Ahaan, he was so polite and sweet that I couldn’t see him in the role. He didn’t feel like the character at all. I told Adi Sir that, and he still urged me to give Ahaan a proper shot.”

So they decided to spend more time together. “We had a formal dinner, even shared a couple of beers. But still, something was missing. I felt like he was holding back," Mohit recalled. “So I told him, ‘Stop calling me sir—just call me Mohit. Show me who you really are.’”

That breakthrough moment came when they went out clubbing. “By the end of the night, he was literally sitting on the bar—not a stool, the bar itself,” Mohit laughed. “And I thought, that’s the energy I need. That’s my guy.”

Even then, the director still had doubts. At one point, Ahaan was even told that he might not get the role. But everything changed during an unexpected moment. “He thought the audition was over, and that’s when he dropped the act. He finally let his guard down. That’s when I saw the spark I’d been searching for.”

Mohit says the final character wasn’t just a copy of what was on the page—it became a blend of the script and who Ahaan truly is. “That’s when the character really came to life,” he said.

About Saiyaara

Saiyaara follows the journey of Krish (played by Ahaan Panday), a passionate aspiring singer, and Vaani (Aneet Padda), a talented lyricist who writes for his character. Despite coming from completely different worlds and holding opposing beliefs, there’s something undeniable between them.

"Though poles apart in their lives, beliefs, and backgrounds, Vaani and Krish are perfect for each other,” the official synopsis reads. “Will they be able to see that truth despite their age and personal struggles? They say flawed, imperfect people make for the perfect love story… and Saiyaara is a celebration of a love so deep, so pure, so caring, that it’s truly unconditional.”

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