Aneet Padda’s rise to stardom may seem meteoric, but as the actress revealed in her recent Cosmopolitan cover feature, it was years of quiet persistence and belief from a few key people that helped her find her footing in Bollywood. The young star, who earned massive acclaim for her breakout role in Saiyaara, opened up about the emotional journey that led to her big-screen debut.
Aneet Padda opens up on the nerve-wracking audition that changed her life forever — The making of a Saiyaara star
At just 19, Padda was trying to find her place in an industry known for its unpredictability. During that uncertain phase, she found unwavering support in Nitya Mehra and Karan Kapadia — the creator and director of Big Girls Don’t Cry, the project that first brought her to attention. Referring to them as her ‘Bombay parents’ she shared that both believed in her potential long before she did. She insisted that whenever she needed some assurance about her potential and future, they convinced her of her talent and ability to be someone in an industry while also pointing out that it could enlarge people’s ego but also could make newcomers feel timid
Her turning point came with a phone call from renowned casting director Shanoo Sharma, who invited her to audition for Yash Raj Films. However, Padda, still juggling college commitments and travel, had to turn down the opportunity at the time. “Even getting that call from her (Sharma) was huge,” she recalled.
Once she graduated and began BGDC promoting in Mumbai, Padda reached out to Sharma again. “I was shaking in the car before our chat,” she admitted, describing how the nerves melted away once they spoke. Sharma immediately put her at ease and invited her to audition — for a film that would change her life forever: Saiyaara.
The romantic drama, which also marked Ahaan Panday’s Bollywood debut, became one of the biggest hits of 2025. Produced by Yash Raj Films, Saiyaara was praised for its soulful storytelling, fresh performances, and chemistry between its leads — catapulting Aneet Padda into the spotlight as one of Hindi cinema’s most promising new faces.
What began as a trembling audition turned into a defining moment — the start of a journey that continues to unfold with the same sincerity that brought her there.
More Pages: Saiyaara Box Office Collection , Saiyaara Movie Review
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