‘Saiyaara’ Star Ahaan Panday Ditches Long Hair For Sharp, Intense Look In His Next Film. See Pics
‘Saiyaara’ star Ahaan Panday has traded his soft, romantic image for a rugged new look as he gears up for Ali Abbas Zafar’s next action-romance flick.
Ahaan Panday, who stole hearts with his stellar debut in ‘Saiyaara’, is ready to enter a bold new phase of his career. The young actor, who played a musician in Mohit Suri’s romantic blockbuster, has now traded his charming lover-boy persona for a rugged, intense look for his next film – an untitled action-romance helmed by Ali Abbas Zafar and produced by Yash Raj Films. The film will also feature Sharvari Wagh in the lead role.
Taking to Instagram on Wednesday, Ahaan Panday unveiled his striking transformation. Gone are the long, tousled locks and soft stubble that fans associated with his ‘Saiyaara’ days. Instead, he debuted a sharp, cropped haircut and a neatly trimmed beard – a look that exuded edge and confidence.
Dressed in a sleek black shirt layered under a black leather jacket, Ahaan looked every bit the next-gen action hero. “And that’s a cut,” he captioned the post, marking both a physical and symbolic shift in his cinematic journey.
Check out Ahaan Panday’s Instagram post below:
The new look instantly sent social media into a frenzy. Fans showered the actor with admiration, calling him “heart-stopping” and “too hot to handle.” One user gushed, “Ahaan boy, stop making my heart flutter, I’m still dealing with Krish K!” – a clear nod to his emotional portrayal of Krish Kapoor in ‘Saiyaara’.
The upcoming project marks Ahaan Panday’s collaboration with celebrated filmmaker Ali Abbas Zafar, known for mega-hits like ‘Sultan’ (2016) and ‘Tiger Zinda Hai’ (2017). The film is scheduled to go on floors in early 2026 and also reunites Ali Abbas Zafar with producer Aditya Chopra, making it their fifth collaboration after ‘Mere Brother Ki Dulhan’, ‘Gunday’, ‘Sultan’, and ‘Tiger Zinda Hai’.
Ahaan’s debut film ‘Saiyaara’, which released earlier this year, enjoyed a solid run in theatres. The Mohit Suri directorial shattered multiple box office records, crossing Rs 500 crore worldwide and completing 50 successful days in theatres.
It remains the highest-grossing love story in Indian cinema history. The film followed the emotional journey of Krish Kapoor, an aspiring musician, and Vaani Batra, a reserved journalist played by Aneet Padda. Their chemistry struck a chord with audiences, earning rave reviews from fans and Bollywood stars alike – including Alia Bhatt, Shraddha Kapoor, Ranveer Singh, and Varun Dhawan. The film is now streaming on Netflix.
Meanwhile, Ahaan Panday has also been in the headlines for his off-screen camaraderie with co-star Aneet Padda. The two were recently spotted celebrating Aneet’s birthday together, with inside videos and photos from the party going viral. Their cosy appearance at a Coldplay concert earlier this year further fuelled dating rumours – though neither has commented on the buzz.
