And it begins: Ahaan Panday kicks off Ali Abbas Zafar's next, first glimpse out
Actor Ahaan Panday has begun shooting for his next film with Ali Abbas Zafar, marking his first project after Saiyaara. The filmmaker has shared a first glimpse from the sets.
After his superhit debut with Saiyaara in 2025, actor Ahaan Panday is back facing the camera. He has started shooting for his next film, a yet-untitled action entertainer directed by Ali Abbas Zafar, the filmmaker known for Sultan (2016) and Tiger Zinda Hai (2017).
The upcoming project is produced under the Yash Raj Films (YRF) banner and also reportedly stars Aaishvary Thackeray, who debuted with Anurag Kashyap's Nishaanchi. Sharvari Wagh has been cast in a key role.
Shoot begins with first glimpse
On Friday, Ali Abbas Zafar shared a photo on X featuring Ahaan with the clapper board of the untitled film, captioning it, "And it begins."
While details about the film remain under wraps, it is expected to combine romance with intense action.
Big-scale action with a romantic core
A Hollywood Reporter report earlier quoted a source as saying, "Ali Abbas Zafar is known for mega entertainers like Sultan and Tiger Zinda Hai, so you can expect him to mount the Ahaan–Aaishvary clash on a huge scale. The film has romance at its core and action designed to shock and awe, and Ali is not going to hold back. It is meant to be a full-blown big-screen ride."
Another source told the outlet: "Ali really does have one of the strongest young casts in the industry right now. With his storytelling and sense of spectacle, these three actors will be presented in a massive way. It is refreshing to see a big film being built around young talent, and it is a major chance for them to prove what they are capable of."
Ahaan’s debut and reception
Ahaan Panday made his acting debut opposite Aneet Padda in Saiyaara, a YRF musical-romantic drama directed by Mohit Suri. The film also featured Alam Khan, Rajesh Kumar, Geeta Agarwal Sharma, Varun Badola, Shaad Randhawa, Shaan R Grover and Sid Makkar in pivotal roles.
India Today described Saiyaara as "entertaining, emotional, and musical - a cinematic piece where the flaws are visible, but so is the heart." The film was released in theatres on July 18, 2025.