My Introduction to the World of Cinema came from my Grandmother: Ahaan Panday

TV premieres have their own magic… the cosy living room buzz, overflowing bowls of popcorn, and the whole family settling in like it’s their own little celebration! It’s a feeling actor Ahaan Panday is familiar with and knows too well. Long before he became the country’s big new heartthrob, he was simply a kid in a film family, always waiting for that familiar ‘movie night’ announcement… a moment that, as he puts it, “felt bigger than any festival.”

As Ahaan’s debut film and the biggest love story of this decade, Saiyaara readies for its world television premiere on 20th December 2025 at 8 pm on Sony MAX, Ahaan walks down memory lane, recalling the warm, nostalgic glow of family movie nights that shaped his love for cinema. “Growing up in a film family, movies were absolutely central to our home life,” he shares. “In fact, my introduction to the world of film came from my grandmother. Every Sunday, we would watch a new film… it could be anything, but it was a ritual we never missed.”

Ahaan laughs as he remembers the snack debates before the show and the light-hearted bargaining for the comfiest seat… the kind every sibling knows too well! “The living room would be cleared, snacks were debated for hours, and everyone had their designated seat, usually involving some minor negotiations and barter for the best spot!” What followed, he says, was the real highlight… the post-movie critiques that stretched across breakfast tables and car rides for days. “We would spend days dissecting performances, plot points, action sequences… those are some of my fondest memories.”

Released in July 2025, Saiyaara emerged as one of the year’s biggest hits. Directed by Mohit Suri and produced by Yash Raj Films, the film introduced Ahaan Panday as Krish Kapoor paired opposite Aneet Padda, with their emotional love story striking a chord nationwide. The film’s music further added to its appeal, with every song catching on instantly and turning the album into one of the year’s most-loved soundtracks.

And as the film finds its way back to television on Sony MAX, Ahaan is looking forward to reliving the magic the way he always has… at home, surrounded by family, settling in for another movie night that feels just as truly special as ever. And he believes that so should you… Make it a memorable movie night with your family and friends!