Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai

Mumbai, Jul 19: In a digital world where hype often trumps substance, Mohit Suri’s latest film Saiyaara has defied the norm—letting silence build suspense, and curiosity spark magic.

Released under the Yash Raj Films banner and produced by Akshaye Widhani, Saiyaara has opened to glowing reviews. But what’s grabbing more attention than the romance on screen is the mystery surrounding the debutants—Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda.

In an age of influencer tie-ups, brand shoutouts, podcast interviews and pre-release interviews, the decision to keep both actors away from the limelight has paid off. Director Mohit Suri revealed that the strategy, devised with producer Akshaye Widhani and YRF’s Aditya Chopra, was deliberate. “Why speak to the media when there’s no work to show yet?” Suri said in a recent chat, adding that gimmicky questions dilute the essence of the performance.

Ahaan Panday, nephew of Chunky Panday and cousin to Ananya Panday, already had a visible social media presence. But Saiyaara is his first major leap into the film world. He previously dabbled in shorts and worked as an AD on films like Mardaani 2 and Rock On 2. This time, though, it’s not about flashy debuts but subtle transformation.

Surprisingly, he wasn’t Suri’s first choice. In an interview, the director admitted that Ahaan seemed too polished for the role until a casual dinner conversation changed everything. “The moment he dropped the act and became real, I saw my character,” said Suri.

On the other hand, Aneet Padda, a model-turned-actor from Amritsar, entered the spotlight through Big Girls Don’t Cry on Prime Video. She had a minor role in Salaam Venky, but Saiyaara has been her true breakout. The makers chose to maintain her mystery by avoiding media appearances altogether—preserving freshness that’s now resonating with viewers.

While the leads remained low-key, it was Suri who took the media spotlight. He subtly promoted the film while keeping the curiosity around the cast alive. The gamble seems to have worked, with the movie raking in Rs 20 cr on Day 1 and more shows added across cities.

Saiyaara also marks Suri’s comeback after Malang (2020). Unlike Malang, this film banks on the strength of newcomers and storytelling, not star power or flashy promotions.

This approach isn’t new. Shah Rukh Khan used a similar low-promotion tactic for Pathaan and Jawan, while 12th Fail, Lunchbox, and Gangs of Wasseypur won over audiences without aggressive marketing.

In an industry often accused of overexposing its stars, Saiyaara is proof that sometimes, less truly is more.