EXCLUSIVE: Following Saiyaara, Ahaan Panday has signed on for Ali Abbas Zafar’s action romance under YRF

Ahaan Panday was born on July 18, 2025, a star that the Indian Gen Z had been eagerly anticipating and wanting to support. His first role as an actor was in the film Saiyaara, which was directed by Mohit Suri and produced by YRF CEO Akshaye Widhani, with Aditya Chopra serving as the presenter. The movie, by becoming the highest-grossing romantic film in Indian cinema, created box office history and established its leads – Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda – as the bankable Gen Z talents that the industry desperately needed.Since Saiyaara was released, cine-goers, fans, and the film community have been continually expressing their desire to find out what Ahaan Panday will do next. Pinkvilla has now learned exclusively that Ahaan has secured his second film project with Aditya Chopra, which will be directed by Ali Abbas Zafar, known for blockbusters such as Sultan and Tiger Zinda Hai.According to a source, “Ali Abbas Zafar is working on an action romance with Aditya Chopra as his upcoming directorial project. Ali has captivated the audience with outstanding performances in dramas such as Sultan. Even in an action movie like Tiger Zinda Hai, he made the narrative engaging through the dramatic elements he added to the scenes. Ali aimed to return to his origins with his next film, revisiting the genre that had bestowed him so much affection. He was astounded to see Ahaan Panday and his presence in the emotional and dramatic moments of Saiyaara.The source adds, “Aditya Chopra was the one who advised Ali to choose Ahaan, as a film featuring a young star would enhance the element of surprise for the audience.

According to Aditya Chopra, Ahaan’s lack of exposure is his greatest asset, as the success of Saiyaara will heighten anticipation for his next moves. In this film, which lacks a title as of now, Adi and Ali will reveal a completely different aspect of Ahaan’s acting by immersing him in a world where intense passion, romance, and action converge with hard-hitting drama.The source further informs, “The script is finalized and the music-seatings have already commenced. Ali Abbas Zafar and Aditya Chopra are aiming to start filming the movie in the first quarter of 2026. The film, which has not yet been given a title, will mark the fifth collaboration between Aditya Chopra and Ali Abbas Zafar following Mere Brother Ki Dulhan, Gunday, Sultan, and Tiger Zinda Hai. The duo boasts a flawless record with a 100 percent HIT rate, and the Ahaan Panday film is anticipated to carry on their success.