After Saiyaara, Aneet Padda bags YRF romantic drama with Maneesh Sharma?

Aneet Padda, after her breakout in Saiyaara teams up with YRF and Maneesh Sharma for a new Punjab-set love story, set to begin filming in 2026, solidifying her rise as a Gen-Z Bollywood star.

Aneet Padda/Instagram

Summary:

• Aneet Padda, who rose to fame with Saiyaara, has signed her next project with Yash Raj Films directed by Maneesh Sharma.

• The untitled love story is set in Punjab and will go on floors in mid-2026.

• Both Padda and her Saiyaara co-star Ahaan Panday are seen as major breakout stars of 2025.

Saiyaara was Aneet Padda's breakout role, and now she's landed her next major project. This next project from Yash Raj Films will star the actor who portrayed the lead role of Vaani in the romantic drama. Maneesh Sharma, who has recently dabbled in action-thrillers, will be directing this film, which will be his return to love stories.

Aditya Chopra backs Aneet Padda as Gen-Z’s romantic heroine

As per a report in Mid Day, filmmaker Aditya Chopra is closely watching the fortunes of the two young actors, according to a source who verified the news. The popularity of "Saiyaara" catapulted Aneet to the role of romantic hero for Gen-Z. She seemed like the ideal heroine for Maneesh's love story, according to Aditya.

The untitled film is now in the pre-production stages. It is believed that Sharma would return to the genre that made him famous as a filmmaker with this movie. After gaining fame as the director of Band Baaja Baaraat (2010) and Shuddh Desi Romance (2013), Sharma went on to bigger-scale projects like Fan (2016) starring Shah Rukh Khan and Tiger 3 (2023) starring Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif.

ALSO READ: Ahaan Panday-Aneet Padda's Saiyaara to get a sequel? Mohit Suri reveals

Punjab-set love story

The new film, says another insider, will remain faithful to Sharma's prior work. The source added that Maneesh excels at telling stories about youth. This film takes place in Punjab, and the casting of the male lead is still pending. According to the source, filming will begin in the middle of 2026.

Aneet Padda and her Saiyaara co-star Ahaan Panday are both expected to be the breakout stars of 2025, so this news comes as a bit of a surprise. Their first feature film catapulted them to stardom, and studios are eager to cash in on their youthful charisma.

Aneet Padda well-placed for Bollywood success

Even though Panday hasn't revealed her plans just yet, Padda is well-positioned to succeed in Bollywood thanks to her ties to Yash Raj Films and Maneesh Sharma. The film is set to begin production in 2026, so we should expect to hear more about the male lead's casting and other specifics in the near future.

FAQs:

Q: Who is Aneet Padda in Saiyaara?

A: Aneet Padda played the role of Vaani in Saiyaara, which turned out to be her breakout performance and established her as one of 2024’s most promising debutants.

Q: What is Aneet Padda’s next film after Saiyaara?

A: Aneet Padda has signed Yash Raj Films’ next romantic drama, directed by Maneesh Sharma. The film is currently in pre-production and will go on floors in the first half of 2026.

Q: Who is directing Aneet Padda’s upcoming YRF film?

A: Maneesh Sharma, known for films like Band Baaja Baaraat and Shuddh Desi Romance, will be directing Aneet Padda’s next YRF film.

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