Ahaan Panday on Stardom, Family Legacy, and His Blockbuster Debut . exclusive for TAB2MAG By Aanya Rajput
August 2025 Edition
From Star Kid to Star in His Own Right
It’s a warm Mumbai afternoon when Ahaan Panday walks into our studio, dressed in a casual white tee and denim, flashing a smile that has already melted millions of hearts. The 27-year-old actor may carry the legacy of a famous Bollywood family, but he’s determined to create his own narrative.
“I grew up surrounded by cinema,” Ahaan admits as we sit down for our conversation. “But I never wanted to rely on just my last name. I wanted to earn my place.”
Early Lessons Behind the Camera
Unlike many celebrity kids who rush straight into acting, Ahaan chose a more grounded approach. He worked as an assistant director on Freaky Ali, Rock On 2, and Mardaani 2.
“I wanted to understand filmmaking beyond the glamour,” he says, leaning forward. “Working behind the camera taught me discipline and patience—two things every actor needs.”
He also experimented with short films and online videos, quickly earning a loyal fan following on social media. His creative clips, from reenacting Shah Rukh Khan dialogues to writing his own scenes, hinted at a performer waiting for the right break.
The Big Break – Saiyaara
That break arrived in 2025, courtesy of Mohit Suri and Yash Raj Films. Saiyaara, a poignant love story between an aspiring singer (Ahaan) and a lyricist with early-onset Alzheimer’s (Aneet Padda), was an instant hit.
“When I first read the script, I knew I had to be part of it,” he recalls. “Krish, my character, isn’t just about love—it’s about fighting for someone’s dignity and memory.”
The film opened to a record-breaking ₹83 crore weekend and crossed ₹150 crore in just six days. Critics praised Ahaan for his natural screen presence and emotional performance, some even calling him a “blend of Hrithik Roshan’s intensity and Ranbir Kapoor’s charm.”
Dealing with the Nepotism Debate
With success came scrutiny. Old Dubsmash videos resurfaced, and debates about nepotism intensified. Ahaan, however, takes it all in stride.
“Look, I can’t change where I come from,” he says candidly. “But what I can do is work harder. Every audition, every workshop, every performance—I treat it like my first chance.”
Actress Ameesha Patel recently commented on comparisons to senior actors, saying, “Baap baap hota hai,” highlighting the gap between newcomers and legends. Ahaan simply smiles when asked about it. “Those guys are my idols,” he says. “If people even mention me in the same breath, I must be doing something right.”
Life Beyond the Limelight
Off-screen, Ahaan keeps things simple. He loves music, often playing the guitar to unwind, and is a passionate Manchester United supporter. Fitness is non-negotiable, and his Instagram feed features everything from gym sessions to candid moments with his dog.
“I think people relate to authenticity,” he notes. “I’m just a guy who loves movies, music, and football. Fame is great, but staying grounded is more important.”
The Road Ahead
With his first film already a blockbuster, Ahaan is in no hurry to sign every script that comes his way.
“I want to work with directors who challenge me,” he says. “My dream is to do all kinds of films—romance, action, even something experimental. As long as I’m learning, I’m happy.”
Rumors suggest he is already in talks for two big projects—one an intense sports drama and the other a high-octane action film.
Closing Frame
As our shoot wraps, Ahaan takes a quick selfie with the crew, laughing and chatting as if he’s known everyone for years. That’s his charm—approachable, warm, and real. Bollywood may be full of star kids, but Ahaan Panday is here to prove he’s more than just a surname. He’s a star in the making, one frame at a time.
Up Close with Ibrahim Ali Khan by Aanya Rajput .
He walks in wearing a soft linen shirt, sneakers scuffed just enough to be real, and that signature
Nawabi calm inherited from the Pataudi bloodline. But Ibrahim Ali Khan isn’t trying to be his father
or his sister. He’s trying to be something else entirely: himself.
Aanya: Ibrahim, thank you for meeting me today. Let’s start simply. What’s life like right now?
Ibrahim: Chaotic, exciting, humbling – all at once. I still wake up and have to remind myself that this
is real… that people are actually watching my work and forming opinions about me. It’s a strange
kind of thrill.
Aanya: You’ve grown up around cinema. Was acting always inevitable?
Ibrahim: Not quite. I mean, I loved films – grew up quoting Dil Chahta Hai and mimicking Shah
Rukh’s hand gestures – but I also liked watching how sets worked. That’s why I started off as an
assistant director. I wanted to learn the craft from behind the scenes first. I didn’t want to just land on
screen with a surname.
Aanya: You assisted on Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani. What did that teach you?
Ibrahim: Everything. Watching Ranveer and Alia prep, seeing Karan sir direct emotion like a
symphony… it was a masterclass. I learned how important rhythm is – not just in acting, but in
storytelling. I also learned what not to do – like, don’t walk on set unprepared.
Aanya: Then came Nadaaniyan – your first lead role. How did it feel stepping into that world?
Ibrahim: Surreal. The shoot was joyful – we laughed a lot, improvised, ate too much chocolate. But
when it released and the feedback poured in… it was overwhelming. The love was real, but so was
the criticism. Some of it hurt. I won’t lie.
Aanya: What hurt the most?
Ibrahim: Not being taken seriously. I know I’m new – I know Nadaaniyan wasn’t perfect – but people
Exclusive Interview: Ibrahim Ali Khan
forget that everyone starts somewhere. Some called me wooden, others mocked my voice. It’s
fine… I’ve learned to take what helps and ignore what doesn’t.
Aanya: So what’s next? Sarzameen looks very different from your debut.
Ibrahim: It is. Sarzameen is intense, emotional, and real. I play Harman Menon – a young man at
odds with his military family. There’s pain in him, a lot unsaid. It’s my first attempt at a role with
depth. Sharing scenes with Kajol ma’am and Prithviraj sir? I learned more in those few weeks than I
could have in a year of school.
Aanya: Are you worried about being constantly compared – to your father, your sister, everyone?
Ibrahim: I’d be lying if I said no. But I’ve made peace with it. My dad’s a legend. My sister’s brilliant.
But I’m not competing with them. I’m trying to build something separate. Maybe smaller. Maybe
slower. But mine.
Aanya: You also have Diler coming up?
Ibrahim: Yes! It’s a sports drama – very physical, very raw. I trained for months – running drills,
learning stance work. I’m sore all the time. But I love it. It’s a world away from who I really am, which
is what makes it exciting.
Aanya: And beyond films? What do you dream of?
Ibrahim: Growth. Versatility. I want to look back someday and feel like I changed gears with each
project. I don’t want to be one of those actors who plays a version of themselves every time. If
people say, “Wait, that was Ibrahim?” – then I’ve done my job.
As we wrap up, Ibrahim reaches for his phone, checking a message and smiling quietly. There’s no
entourage rushing him out, no scripted lines. Just a young man who’s figuring it out – on his terms, at
his pace. And somehow, that’s exactly what makes him so watchable.
