Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda Shine in ‘Saiyaara,’ But Did You Know It Was First Offered to This Real-Life Couple?
Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda Shine in ‘Saiyaara,’ But Did You Know It Was First Offered to This Real-Life Couple?
The romantic drama Saiyaara has become one of the biggest surprise hits of the year. Directed by Mohit Suri, the film has struck a chord with audiences, thanks to its fresh storyline, soulful music, and the debut performances of Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda. While the film’s young leads have gained overnight fame, not many know that Saiyaara was initially planned with a very different cast.
According to a report by Scoopwhoop, the original plan was to cast real-life couple Sidharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani in the lead roles. The two had already impressed fans with their chemistry in the 2021 war film Shershaah, which also marked the beginning of their off-screen love story. The makers reportedly approached the couple before finalizing the newcomers, but things didn’t go forward.
In a recent interview, director Mohit Suri opened up about the casting journey. He revealed that he was leaning towards casting established actors until producer Aditya Chopra stepped in with a different idea. Suri recalled Chopra telling him, “Your film won’t work with known faces, it’s a story of two youngsters. Let’s cast fresh faces.” When Suri asked who would take such a big risk in today’s box office situation, Chopra confidently replied, “I will.” That decision has clearly paid off, as the film continues to win hearts and perform strongly at the box office.
Mohit Suri has a history of working with familiar faces. He previously directed Sidharth Malhotra in the 2014 hit Ek Villain and often collaborates with actors like Emraan Hashmi, Shraddha Kapoor, and Aditya Roy Kapur. With such a record, Sidharth seemed like an obvious choice for Saiyaara. However, the decision to go with newcomers ended up being a game-changer.
Meanwhile, Sidharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani are currently enjoying a new phase in their personal lives. The couple recently welcomed their first child. While the couple has kept things private, they shared the news on their social media. The two met during the filming of Shershaah and tied the knot in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, in 2023.
Though they didn’t end up in Saiyaara, Sidharth and Kiara remain one of Bollywood’s most loved couples, while Ahaan and Aneet are fast becoming the industry’s freshest stars to watch.
