Ahaan Panday, Aneet Padda Soar to Stardom with IMDb Breakout Star Awards for 'Saiyaara

Bollywood’s newest sensations, Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, have clinched the prestigious IMDb “Breakout Star” STARmeter Awards for their spellbinding performances in the romantic drama *Saiyaara*. Directed by Mohit Suri and produced by Yash Raj Films, the film has not only shattered box office records but also catapulted its debutant stars into the global spotlight. The awards, announced on August 12, recognize the duo’s meteoric rise on IMDb’s Popular Indian Celebrities rankings, driven by the engagement of over 250 million monthly visitors worldwide.

In *Saiyaara*, Panday makes his cinematic debut as Krish Kapoor, a brooding musician navigating personal and professional redemption, while Padda embodies Vaani Batra, an aspiring journalist and poet whose lyrical talents intertwine with Krish’s music. Their heartfelt romance, tested by an emotional twist—Vaani’s early onset Alzheimer’s diagnosis—has resonated deeply with audiences, making *Saiyaara* the highest-grossing Bollywood romantic drama of all time, amassing over ₹550 crore (US$65 million) globally since its July 18 release.

The film stands as the second highest-grossing Indian film of 2025, trailing only *Chhaava*. Its title track, composed by Tanishk Bagchi, Farheem Abdullah, and Arslan Nizami, also made history by debuting at No. 10 on the Billboard Global 200 and entering Spotify’s Top 50 Global chart, a first for a Bollywood song.

The IMDb STARmeter Awards highlight Panday and Padda’s extraordinary audience appeal, with both actors dominating India’s celebrity rankings for consecutive weeks and securing spots in the global top 100—Padda at #64 and Panday at #75. This rare achievement underscores their universal charm and positions them as rising global stars. The STARmeter system, which tracks page views from IMDb’s vast user base, has previously identified talents like Regé-Jean Page and Ayo Edebiri, making it a reliable predictor of breakout success.

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Ahaan Panday, reflecting on his first career accolade, shared, “The IMDb ‘Breakout Star’ STARmeter Award is a dream come true, especially since it’s driven by audience love. As a kid, I’d spend hours on IMDb, diving into the world of cinema. To be honored by it now feels unreal. I’m deeply grateful to Aditya Chopra and Mohit Suri for their trust in me, and sharing this moment with Aneet makes it even more special. She’s a phenomenal talent who deserves the world. My focus now is to keep working hard and deliver performances that live up to this love.”

Aneet Padda echoed his sentiments, saying, “Winning this audience-driven award is incredibly meaningful. *Saiyaara* and Vaani’s journey have touched hearts globally, and I’m thrilled to have been part of that. I dedicate this to our cast, crew, Aditya Chopra, and Mohit Suri for believing in me, and to Ahaan, whose partnership made this journey unforgettable. Playing Vaani was both joyful and intense, and I’m eager to bring more stories to life in my next projects.”

*Saiyaara* marks a career pinnacle for director Mohit Suri, surpassing his previous hits like *Aashiqui 2* and *Ek Villain*. The film’s success, coupled with Panday and Padda’s awards, signals a revival of Bollywood’s romance genre, driven by authentic performances and compelling storytelling. Industry insiders note that the duo’s global rankings and critical acclaim have already sparked interest in their next ventures, with both actors hinting at exciting projects on the horizon.

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