Aneet Padda on reuniting with Ahaan Panday and Mohit Suri

Aneet Padda is set to reunite with Ahaan Panday and director Mohit Suri after the success of 'Saiyaara'. The actor is excited about returning to a team with whom she shares a close personal bond and a common creative understanding.

In a conversation with Variety, Aneet Padda spoke about her friendship with Panday, his support during emotional scenes and the freedom Suri gave them while making their first film together.

Aneet Padda calls Ahaan Panday her best friend

For Aneet Padda, the upcoming reunion is as much about friendship as it is about work. She said her equation with Panday makes the prospect of collaborating again particularly enjoyable. “Ahaan is my best friend, so it’ll be fun.

That’s all that I’m thinking,” Aneet Padda said. She also believes their previous experience will help the team understand each other's artistic choices better. Having already worked together, the three can approach the new project with greater familiarity and trust.“With him and Mohit Sir, it’s the same team and we’re sort of in tune emotionally and artistically. That sense of familiarity is only going to help, and it’s only going to be better for all of us,” she said.

“Not only are we going to enjoy shooting more, but we’ll also be more understanding of each other’s vision for the film. So I’m excited.”

Aneet Padda recalls Ahaan Panday's support on 'Saiyaara'

In 'Saiyaara', Aneet Padda played Vaani, while Ahaan Panday portrayed Krish. Their on-screen chemistry became a talking point following the film's success. Padda described their connection as something that was difficult to explain but helped them work together naturally.She called it “this abstract feeling or understanding between two people, which is special, but I can’t even really put it into words.”Aneet Padda also praised Panday for remaining involved in scenes even when the camera was focused on her. She recalled how his commitment helped her prepare for emotional moments and deliver her performance.“What I must say is that Ahaan is one of the most giving actors,” she said. “If it was an emotional scene and he was supposed to be crying, he would cry every time, even when the camera was on me, just to show, ‘This is how it’s going to be happening on the other side.’

He’d give me all the tools to be able to do my best. He is the most giving actor.”

Actor praises Ahaan Panday's sense of humour

Aneet Padda spoke about the fun they shared while working together. She described Panday as someone who could make her laugh more than anyone else.“He’s the funniest guy in the world. I’ve never known anyone who makes me laugh as much as Ahaan does,” she said. Their friendship, she suggested, made the filming experience more enjoyable and strengthened the bond they developed while playing the lead characters in 'Saiyaara'.

Aneet Padda credits Mohit Suri for creative freedom

Aneet Padda also acknowledged Mohit Suri's approach to directing the young actors. She said the filmmaker encouraged them to explore their characters rather than forcing them to adapt to a fixed style.“It was very freeing that Mohit Sir, as a director, told us, ‘I have to go into your world instead of bringing you guys to mine,’” she recalled. “Which I think is the perfect way to sum it up. He really let us shine. He let us play and never doubted us.”

She added that Suri's willingness to trust their instincts made a difference to their performances. “He’d say, ‘Y’all know, go try it out.’ When you get that kind of trust from your director, it changes the game altogether,” she said.

Aneet Padda expressed deep admiration for Suri and the encouragement he offered throughout the filmmaking process. “He gave us confidence and encouraged us so much off-screen, and on-screen. I love Mohit Sir so much. He’s actually the best,” she said.The actor is next expected to appear in 'Shakti Shalini', which is scheduled for a theatrical release in December 2026. She is also set to work with Mohit Suri on an untitled project described as a romantic drama and action film.