Two strangers walked onto a film set in early 2025. Seven weeks later, they’d made more money than Shah Rukh Khan’s last three films combined and were secretly dating.
Nobody saw it coming. Not the box office analysts who predicted Saiyaara would open to 5 crores max. Not the trade experts who said audiences wouldn’t accept newcomers in a romantic drama. Not even Yash Raj Films, who made the movie but hedged their bets with a modest marketing budget.
And definitely not Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, two complete unknowns who thought they were making a sweet little love story and accidentally created the biggest romantic blockbuster in Indian cinema history while falling for each other off camera.
Now Karan Johar is calling them Bollywood’s next It couple. Their film beat 3 Idiots, Sultan, and Dunki at the box office. Ahaan posted birthday pictures of Aneet that had 3 million likes in an hour. And neither one will officially confirm they’re dating despite literally everyone knowing they absolutely are.
This is the story of how two people went from complete anonymity to superstardom to secret romance in the time it takes most Bollywood careers to even get started. Share this with every hopeless romantic you know because this might be the most Bollywood thing that’s ever happened in real Bollywood.
The Film Nobody Expected To Become A Cultural Phenomenon
Saiyaara released July 18, 2025 with zero buzz. Directed by Mohit Suri for Yash Raj Films, it starred two actors literally nobody had heard of. Ahaan Panday, nephew of Chunky Panday, had done some modeling. Aneet Padda had appeared in one web series nobody watched.
The plot was simple. Boy meets girl. They fall in love. Circumstances tear them apart. Music happens. Emotions explode. Classic Bollywood romance formula that’s been done 847 times.
Trade predictions were brutal. 4 to 6 crore opening day. Maybe 40 to 50 crores lifetime if word of mouth was strong. A respectable debut for newcomers but nothing that would shake the industry.
Opening day collected 17.3 crores. Not a typo. Seventeen point three crores for two actors with a combined social media following of maybe 100,000 before the film released.
By week one, Saiyaara had collected 89 crores. Industry insiders started paying attention. By week two, it crossed 150 crores and became undeniable. This wasn’t a fluke. This was a genuine phenomenon.
The final numbers are staggering. 329.25 crores net collection in India. 398.59 crores gross domestic. 171.5 crores overseas. Total worldwide gross: 570.67 crores.
To put that in perspective, it beat Salman Khan’s Sultan at 300 crores. It demolished Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Padmaavat at 302 crores. It left Shah Rukh Khan’s Dunki choking on dust at 455 crores worldwide. And it became the highest grossing romantic film in Indian cinema history, surpassing Kabir Singh’s 377 crores.
A film starring two complete unknowns became the 14th highest grossing Hindi film domestically of all time. Without a single established star. Without an action sequence or item number or any of the commercial gimmicks Bollywood relies on.
Just two people with undeniable chemistry telling a love story audiences desperately wanted to believe in.
Don’t miss what Karan Johar revealed about their off screen relationship that has the entire industry talking.
When Karan Johar Basically Confirmed What Everyone Already Knew
Karan Johar appeared on Sania Mirza’s podcast Serving It Up With Sania on November 19, 2025. The conversation turned to Bollywood’s newest stars and who might become the industry’s next power couple.
Sania asked directly: “Who do you think is Bollywood’s next It couple?”
Karan didn’t hesitate. “Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda.”
The response was immediate. Not maybe. Not possibly. Just their names, stated as fact.
Sania pressed further. “Next, is it?”
That’s when Karan gave the most diplomatic non answer that’s actually a complete answer. “Oh! Well, they are not yet official, so if they are going to be, I don’t know whether or not because I haven’t checked.”
Let’s decode that statement. They’re not yet official means there’s definitely something happening. If they are going to be official suggests he believes they will be. I haven’t checked is industry speak for I absolutely know but I’m not going to be the one to confirm it publicly.
In Bollywood terms, that’s as close to confirmation as you get without the couple themselves posting Instagram pictures with heart emojis.
Karan has history with these two now. He was at the Mirai press conference in Mumbai where he praised their meteoric rise. He called them superstars, using past and present tense deliberately. “Woh superstars nahin the; ab superstars ban gaye hain.”
They weren’t superstars. Now they are. Seven weeks. That’s how long it took for two unknowns to become household names.
And somewhere in those seven weeks of promotional tours, press junkets, and sudden fame, they apparently also fell in love.
The Birthday Post That Broke The Internet
October 13, 2025. Aneet Padda’s 23rd birthday. Ahaan Panday posted a series of pictures and videos on Instagram celebrating her.
The photos showed candid moments. Concert footage. Behind the scenes glimpses. The kind of intimate content you don’t post about a coworker. The caption was sweet without being explicit. But the comments section exploded.
Three million likes in the first hour. Fans screaming about how cute they are together. Industry insiders leaving knowing emojis. Aneet’s cryptic thank you response that didn’t deny anything.
Then the reports started leaking. A source told media outlets: “Theirs is one of the most beautiful love stories in the entertainment industry. It happened organically while they were shooting together for Saiyaara. She was innocent and vulnerable. He looked after her during the shooting. They drew close as they worked. Eventually, friendship turned into a deep love.”
That’s the kind of quote that only comes from someone very close to the situation. And it paints a specific picture. Two young actors thrown into an intense filming schedule. One inexperienced and overwhelmed. The other protective and supportive. Proximity breeding affection breeding something deeper.
It’s classic on set romance except usually those burn out once filming wraps. This one apparently didn’t. Because three months after Saiyaara released, they’re still doing coordinated appearances, posting about each other, and having Karan Johar call them the It couple on podcasts.
Share this with your rom com obsessed friend because this is literally a Bollywood plot happening in real life.
The Box Office Records That Keep Piling Up
Let’s talk numbers because they’re genuinely historic.
Saiyaara is now the highest grossing film featuring debutants in lead roles in Indian cinema history. The previous record? Student of the Year at 109 crores back in 2012. Saiyaara more than quintupled that number.
It’s the second highest grossing Hindi film of 2025, only behind the period epic Chhaava. In a year that included major releases from established stars, two newcomers claimed the number two spot.
It beat Chennai Express, one of Shah Rukh Khan’s biggest hits, which collected 422 crores worldwide. It surpassed Brahmastra at 431 crores. It demolished Tiger Zinda Hai at 558 crores.
The film ran for 48 days in theaters, an impressive run in an era where most films collapse after two weeks. It maintained strong holds through its entire run, suggesting genuine audience love rather than opening weekend curiosity.
Overseas, it collected 19.5 million dollars, remarkable for a non superstar vehicle. International audiences, especially in markets with large Indian diaspora populations, embraced the film as enthusiastically as domestic viewers.
The music became a cultural phenomenon. The title track Saiyaara topped charts for weeks. Wedding playlists across India suddenly featured songs from the film. Social media was flooded with dance covers and reels using the soundtrack.
This wasn’t a film that succeeded despite its newcomers. It succeeded because of them. Audiences connected with Ahaan and Aneet’s fresh energy, their believable chemistry, and their lack of calculated movie star posing.
What Mohit Suri Did Right That Everyone Else Gets Wrong
Director Mohit Suri has made his career on intense romantic dramas. Aashiqui 2, Ek Villain, and Malang all featured passionate love stories wrapped in dramatic circumstances. But Saiyaara might be his masterpiece.
What did he do differently? He trusted his newcomers completely.
Most directors working with debutants try to protect them, playing it safe with simple emotional beats and avoiding complex scenes. Suri threw Ahaan and Aneet into the deep end. Emotionally demanding sequences. Long takes. Scenes requiring vulnerability that even experienced actors struggle with.
And they delivered. Both actors gave performances that critics praised for emotional depth and naturalism. They didn’t try to mimic established stars. They brought their own energy and created characters audiences wanted to root for.
The screenplay by Shridhar Raghavan focused on the relationship’s internal dynamics rather than external obstacles. The conflict came from the characters’ own fears, insecurities, and communication failures. Modern problems for a modern love story.
The music by Pritam and Mithoon created an emotional landscape that amplified every beat. Seven songs that became instant classics, each enhancing specific moments rather than feeling like inserted commercial breaks.
And the chemistry. That indefinable spark that can’t be manufactured or faked. Ahaan and Aneet had it from their first screen test. Suri built the entire film around that chemistry, trusting it would carry audiences through the story.
It worked. Spectacularly.
The Phenomenon That’s Changing Bollywood’s Star System
Here’s what Saiyaara’s success means for the industry. The old star system is crumbling.
For decades, Bollywood operated on the belief that only established stars could open films. The Khans, the Kapoors, the handful of actresses who achieved leading lady status. Newcomers were relegated to supporting roles or small budget experiments.
Saiyaara demolished that model. Two complete unknowns opened to 17 crores and went on to collect 570 crores worldwide. They proved content matters more than star power. That audiences will embrace fresh faces if the story connects emotionally.
Karan Johar acknowledged this shift at the Mirai press conference. “Every film has its own destiny. Sometimes big star movies work wonders, sometimes fresh faces lead the way. There is no fixed formula anymore.”
He’s right. The formula is broken. Audiences are more discerning now. They won’t automatically show up for a star if the film looks bad. But they will take a chance on unknowns if the trailer intrigues them and word of mouth is strong.
This creates opportunity for newcomers. But it also means the bar is higher. You can’t coast on connections anymore. You need talent, chemistry, and material worthy of audiences’ time and money.
Ahaan and Aneet had all three. They also had luck, timing, and a director who knew how to showcase their strengths. The combination created magic.
Now every studio in Bollywood is hunting for the next Ahaan and Aneet. Casting directors are scouring auditions for chemistry. Producers are greenlighting romantic dramas with fresh faces hoping to replicate the Saiyaara phenomenon.
Whether any of them succeed remains to be seen. But the industry’s willingness to try represents a massive shift from even two years ago.
The Relationship Status That Everyone’s Obsessing Over
So are they actually dating? Let’s examine the evidence.
Karan Johar called them the potential It couple and said they’re “not yet official,” suggesting something is happening that hasn’t been publicly confirmed. That’s pretty substantial given Karan’s connections and industry knowledge.
Ahaan’s birthday post for Aneet featured intimate photos and videos that go beyond professional friendship. The caption and her response suggested closeness that feels romantic.
Multiple media reports citing sources claim they fell in love during filming. The detail about him looking after her when she felt vulnerable suggests information coming from someone close to the situation.
They’re doing coordinated public appearances. Sitting together at events. Arriving and leaving together. Giving joint interviews where they finish each other’s sentences and have inside jokes.
But neither has officially confirmed anything. When asked directly, both deflect with versions of “we’re focused on work right now” or “let’s see what happens.”
That’s actually smart. Public relationships in Bollywood come with intense scrutiny. Every fight becomes tabloid fodder. Every breakup is analyzed endlessly. By keeping things private for now, they protect whatever is developing between them from external pressure.
Plus, the mystery helps their careers. The will they won’t they speculation keeps them in headlines. Fans obsess over every interaction looking for clues. It’s organic marketing that money can’t buy.
Eventually, they’ll probably confirm it. Maybe at an award show. Maybe through a carefully crafted Instagram post. Maybe by showing up together at family functions that paparazzi conveniently photograph.
But for now, they’re letting the speculation build while enjoying their moment. And honestly? That’s the smartest play possible.
What Happens Next For Bollywood’s Newest Stars
Both actors are being flooded with offers. Directors want to capture that Saiyaara magic again. Producers see box office gold in their pairing. Brands want them as endorsers for everything from watches to soft drinks.
Industry insiders suggest they’ll do at least one more film together to capitalize on the chemistry audiences loved. But they’re also being advised to take on separate projects to establish individual identities beyond the couple branding.
The danger is typecasting. If every film they do together is just “Saiyaara but in a different location,” audiences will tire quickly. They need to show range, take creative risks, work with different directors and co stars.
Ahaan being Chunky Panday’s nephew gives him industry connections. But Saiyaara proved he’s not just a nepo baby coasting on family name. He can carry a film. Now he needs to prove he can do more than romantic hero roles.
Aneet’s trajectory is even more interesting. She came from complete obscurity with no film industry connections. Her success is entirely merit based. That’s rare in Bollywood and makes her story particularly inspiring for outsiders trying to break in.
Both are reportedly taking acting classes and working with media trainers to prepare for the scrutiny that comes with fame. They’re handling it well so far, staying humble in interviews and grateful for their unexpected success.
The relationship, if it continues, will be tested by busy schedules, industry pressures, and the reality that most Bollywood romances don’t survive long term. But for now, they’re riding an incredible wave.
Drop a comment: Do you think Ahaan and Aneet are the real deal or just a showmance for publicity? Will they confirm their relationship officially? Share this with your Bollywood gossip group because this story has everything.
Follow for updates on their next projects and relationship status. Because when two unknowns become superstars and fall in love while earning 570 crores, that’s not just news. That’s a fairy tale playing out in real time.
When Karan Johar calls you Bollywood’s It couple before you’ve even admitted you’re dating, you know you’ve made it. Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda went from strangers to stars to something more in seven weeks flat. Whether their romance lasts forever or ends tomorrow, they’ve already written themselves into Bollywood history. And that’s not a bad way to start a career. Or a relationship.
