Saiyaara star Ahaan Panday bags next project; teams up with Ali Abbas Zafar

Ahaan Panday has signed on for a second feature film after the smash hit Saiyaara in July. Industry insiders say that Ali Abbas Zafar will helm the action-romantic film that Aditya Chopra is producing.

Saiyaara success sets stage for next project

In the Mohit Suri-directed Saiyaara, produced by YRF, Panday and co-star Aneet Padda were immediately recognised as bankable actors. People have been wondering what Panday will do next after the film became the highest-grossing love tale in Indian movie history.

As per a report in Pinkvilla, for his next big-screen production, which will be directed by Zafar—known for hits like Sultan and Tiger Zinda Hai—Panday reportedly has teamed up with Chopra once again.

ALSO READ: Saiyaara review: Mohit Suri’s old-school romance gets a fresh coat with Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda

Ali Abbas Zafar's action romance

An insider informed the entertainment portal that Zafar has been working on an action romance with Chopra as his next directorial project. Sultan and even Tiger Zinda Hai use the filmmaker's dramatic flourishes, which won over audiences and kept them glued to the screen. The source also said he wanted to return to the genre that has always been a big part of his career. The emotional and dramatic passages involving Panday in Saiyaara left him speechless.

According to the source, Panday's casting was influenced by Chopra, who advised Zafar to cast the actor since audiences would be more surprised by a film starring a young star. Chopra believes that the popularity of Saiyaara has heightened people's curiosity about Panday's future endeavours, highlighting his greatest strength. In this untitled film, the ace filmmaker and Zafar will put the actor in a new realm where tremendous passion, romance, action, and drama come together, revealing a whole new aspect to his acting.

Filming set for early 2026

Major components have already been decided, and the production is moving forward. An insider also told the entertainment portal that the screenplay is locked and the music sessions have already begun. Zafar and Chopra hope to start shooting the film in the first quarter of 2026.

With past hits like Mere Brother Ki Dulhan, Gunday, Sultan, and Tiger Zinda Hai (Subscribers of OTTplay Premium will also be able to watch these films with a top-up), Chopra and Zafar continue their winning streak with an untitled movie, marking their fifth partnership overall. Action sessions and look tests are supposedly going to start soon in preparation for the filmmakers to unveil the young actor in a fresh look after Saiyaara.

Many believe the film will keep the growing star's and the director-producer's box office momentum going strong.

FAQs:

Q: Who is Ahaan Panday?

A: Ahaan Panday is a Gen Z Indian actor who made his highly anticipated debut with the Mohit Suri-directed film Saiyaara on July 18, 2025. The film was a historical box office success, establishing him as a bankable talent.

Q: What was Ahaan Panday's debut film?

A: Ahaan Panday's debut film was Saiyaara, a love story directed by Mohit Suri and presented by Aditya Chopra under the YRF banner.

Q: Did Saiyaara perform well at the box office?

A: Yes, Saiyaara scripted history at the box office by emerging as the highest-grossing love story of Indian cinema.