Ahaan Panday, who made a blockbuster debut with Mohit Suri’s musical drama Saiyaara, has revealed that Priyanka Chopra once offered him words of encouragement long before he became an actor. Saiyaara turned Ahaan into an overnight sensation, with audiences praising his on-screen chemistry with co-star Aneet Padda and making the film a massive theatrical hit.
In a new interview with GQ, Ahaan shared that during Salman Khan’s sister Arpita Khan’s wedding, he was unexpectedly asked to fill in for a performer who had backed out at the last minute. With only two hours to learn the choreography, he found himself dancing in front of Bollywood’s biggest stars. It was then that Priyanka Chopra approached him and said, “You have the X factor. Treat your dreams like skydiving—once you jump, there’s no looking back.”
Ahaan said those words stayed with him. “She probably doesn’t even know I’m the same guy who ended up doing Saiyaara, but that moment meant everything,” he added.
About Saiyaara
Saiyaara tells the story of Krish Kapur, a short-tempered musician played by Ahaan, and Vaani, a shy aspiring journalist portrayed by Aneet Padda. The film became a cultural phenomenon, drawing widespread praise for its music, the fresh pairing, and Ahaan’s raw performance. Produced by YRF CEO Akshaye Widhani, the film crossed the ₹500 crore mark at the box office and is now streaming on Netflix.
What’s Next for Ahaan Panday?
Ahaan will next be seen in an action thriller directed by Ali Abbas Zafar. The film also stars Sharvari.