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Ahaan Panday revealed that he surrendered to his director while filming the Virat Kohli tribute scene in Saiyaara, calling it one of his toughest challenges.
Ahaan Panday worked as an AD on The Railway Men, before his acting debut in Saiyaara
Ahaan Panday is basking in the success of his debut film Saiyaara, which continues to draw audiences even after more than 50 days in theatres. Alongside Aneet Padda, Ahaan has been praised for his raw and emotional performance in the film, particularly in a heart-wrenching cricket pitch sequence that has become a talking point among fans. Recently, the actor reflected on the experience of filming that powerful scene, where he pays tribute to cricket icon Virat Kohli.
Ahaan Panday Opens Up On His Emotional Performance
In a conversation with The Hollywood Reporter, Ahaan revealed that stepping into the skin of his character Krish for this scene was both challenging and liberating. “For the character, I had to tap into things before. During the auditioning process, we’d always create the scenes, so when I was on set, I just let go of everything. I had to let go of the habit of directing myself. I completely surrendered and submitted to sir,” he explained.
The actor admitted that the cricket pitch sequence demanded complete vulnerability. “I didn’t plan anything; we’d just learn the lines on the way because we wanted to be raw and real. We’d learn 80 percent of the lines, because we didn’t want it to be very mechanical. There were a couple of days where I was like, ‘I have to go back to that; I have to rehearse,’ but the greatest thing was Mohit sir trusted us so much.”
The scene sees Krish breaking down as he struggles with his father’s health condition, leaning on Vaani (Aneet Padda) for support. In the middle of the emotional turmoil, a symbolic tribute to Virat Kohli was woven into the dialogue, resonating deeply with audiences and cricket fans alike.
Virat Kohli Tribute Resonates With Fans
The reference to King Kohli in Saiyaara quickly became one of the most talked-about aspects of the film. Fans praised Ahaan for channeling both the vulnerability of his character and the strength that the cricketing legend represents. Many viewers described the sequence as a “defining moment” in the movie, elevated further by its powerful background score.
Ahaan’s honest approach to acting has not only impressed fans but also earned him praise from critics who have called his debut “promising” and “authentic.” His ability to surrender himself to the director’s vision has been seen as a sign of maturity beyond his years.
As Saiyaara prepares for its digital release on Netflix on September 12, 2025, audiences who missed the theatrical run will soon get a chance to witness Ahaan Panday’s heartfelt performance.
Shrishti Negi is a journalist with over eight years of experience in the media industry. She leads the Entertainment desk at News18.com. She writes breaking news stories, generates feature ideas, edits copies, …Read More
Shrishti Negi is a journalist with over eight years of experience in the media industry. She leads the Entertainment desk at News18.com. She writes breaking news stories, generates feature ideas, edits copies, … Read More
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September 11, 2025, 23:47 IST
