Who is Ahaan Panday? Trolled for Shah Rukh Khan's iconic dialogue, now makes his Bollywood debut with Yash Raj Films' 'Saiyaara'

Ahaan Panday, cousin of Bollywood stars Ananya Panday and nephew of Chunky Panday, has officially stepped into the film world. His debut as a lead actor comes with the romantic drama 'Saiyaara', produced by Yash Raj Films and directed by Mohit Suri, marking an important moment in his career. Yet, just as excitement for his first film builds, a previously viral video has sparked widespread attention and criticism on social media.Viral SRK Dialogue Brings CriticismIn June 2023, Ahaan faced criticism after a video of him performing Shah Rukh Khan’s heartfelt “ek tarfa pyaar” scene from 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil' went viral. Though meant as an homage, many viewers on social media found it awkward and staged, linking his visibility to nepotism. With his official debut in 'Saiyaara' approaching, Ahaan now has the challenge of proving his talent and winning over audiences despite the negative reactions.Viral SRK Dialogue Brings CriticismAhaan is the son of Chikki Panday and fitness expert Deanne Panday. His sister, Alanna Panday, has gained recognition as an influencer in the United States, while his cousins Ananya and Rysa Panday have already made their presence felt in the film world. His passion for filmmaking led him to gain valuable experience behind the camera. Before stepping in front of it, he worked as an assistant director on projects such as 'Freaky Ali', 'Rock On 2', and the acclaimed series 'The Railway Men'.Early Social Media Spotlight at Family WeddingBefore his acting debut caught widespread attention, Ahaan made headlines on social media during his cousin Alanna Panday’s wedding. A clip showing him dancing energetically to Shah Rukh Khan’s “I Am The Best” with Karan Mehta, right in front of SRK and Gauri Khan, went viral rapidly. Another video of Ahaan performing “Saat Samundar Paar” alongside Ananya also gained popularity, highlighting his dynamic stage presence and confidence for performing.