Reason why director Mohit Suri cast Aneet Padda in Saiyaara was.., ‘I wanted someone who…’

In the ever-evolving world of Bollywood, where new faces come to the industry every day, some celebrities become overnight star and their luck completely changes on a Friday. One such example of this is a newcomer who left a mark so deep that people started talking about her beyond the film. The actress that we are talking about is none other than Aneet Padda, who became the heartbeat of audiences with Mohit Suri’s romantic musical ‘Saiyaara.’

The film was released on July 18, 2025. The film not only broke records at the box office, but people also fell in love with Aneet’s simplicity. Amidst all the glitz, it was Aneet’s pure, unfiltered charm that reminded everyone of old-school Bollywood innocence. Her pairing with Ahaan Panday brought a fresh perspective to today’s cinematic landscape. However, what’s fascinating is how Aneet Padda got this role and what made director Mohit Suri believe she was perfect for it.

The Director’s Search for Authenticity

Mohit Suri once revealed in an interview about his casting process and the kind of face he wanted for the character of Vani Batra. He said he was looking for “a 20 to 22-year-old girl who hadn’t undergone any cosmetic changes on her face or body.” The director said he wanted someone who looked innocent and real, someone whose eyes could speak before her dialogue did.

For Vaani Batra’s role, many people auditioned for the part, but most arrived with layers of makeup, styled hair, and a desire to look ‘perfect’. Mohit shared, “Many people gave auditions, but they had done a lot of makeup. But out of everyone, I liked Aneet’s simple and graceful look the most.”

The First Meeting

Speaking about the first time Mohit met Aneet, he spoke about a memory that perfectly captured Aneet’s innocence. She had walked in wearing a yellow dress. The director smiled and said, “I asked her, What have you come wearing?” That playful comment made Aneet a little nervous, but in that moment, Mohit knew she was the one.

From Nervousness to Notoriety

From that day to the film’s release, Aneet’s journey became a story of quiet determination. Before Saiyaara, she had already worked in a few films and TV commercials, but this film changed everything.

Story Highlights:

1. Mohit revealed he wanted a 20- to 22-year-old girl who hadn’t undergone any cosmetic changes on her face or body for Vaani Batra.
2. Mohit rejected hundreds of people who came for Vaani Batra’s audition, as they all wore layers of makeup and wanted to look perfect.
3. It was Aneet’s simplicity and innocence that resonated with Mohit Suri and landed her the role.
4. Aneet Padda became an overnight star with ‘Saiyaara.’