Stars are shivering in their pants. This is no joke. The hype around Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda’s debut film, Saiyaara, is indeed so high that it is giving the actors sleepless nights.
Believe it or not but while the trade is rejoicing at the advance booking figures of Mohit Suri’s love story, established stars are wondering what has hit them! First things, first. For the uninitiated, let it be said that stars are the most insecure lot. And so, the growing craze for the film, slated for release tomorrow (18th July), is actually causing severe anxiety among this tribe.
One actor, with more than 40 films to his credit, actually told his colleague that he was finding it difficult to get even his forty winks, leave alone a good night’s sleep. And just why? Because the opening day’s expected figures for Saiyaara, being tossed around in trade circles, are giving him palpitations. If a rank newcomer’s film can expect to open so big, where does it leave his stardom, feels this in-demand hero. Another relatively newer hero is said to be ringing up his current producers to find out whether the advance booking is genuine or not. After the trend of a couple of producers to bulk-book tickets in advance to paint a rosy picture of their films, it is quite the norm in trade circles to ask whether the box-office figures are genuine or inflated. Of course, the advance booking figures of Saiyaara are real and not fake. A third hero is busy spreading stories that he is privy to inside information that the advance booking figures are being hyped by the producer of the film. Of course, this story is baseless because nothing of the sort is happening. But it is the insecurity of the hero which is making him spread such malicious stories about the film starring two new faces. Another hero, with almost 20 films to his credit, simply can’t concentrate on his shooting as he is asking all and sundry whether the hype around Saiyaara is for real.
Frankly, the terrific craze for the Yash Raj Films film doesn’t come as a surprise. The hit songs of the film and its teaser and trailer had given enough indication that Saiyaara would open big. Both, the new hero and the debut-making heroine, have already made a comfortable place for themselves in the hearts of cinema lovers. Their chemistry seems to be electrifying, at least in the trailer and songs. It would not be an exaggeration to say that teenaged and young girls have gone bonkers over Ahaan Panday as they find him “too sexy and hot” to handle. And this is the case in India as well as Overseas.
Your editor had given an indication of what was in store for the audience in Saiyaara, almost a month ago. In an article headlined ‘Sitaare Zameen Par brought back urban films; now can YRF’s Saiyaara revive romance at box-office? Trade experts weigh in’ in Hindustan Times dated June 25, your editor was quoted thus: “The teaser-trailer more than lived up to the expectations because the chemistry between the two newcomers seemed to be electrifying. Both, Ahaan and Aneet, look wonderful. As song after song from the film was released, it was clear that the music of Saiyaara could well be one of its biggest plus points. Each song is a musical hit, and the song picturisations seem to be so contemporary.” The article further quotes Komal Nahta: “Frankly, the hit music doesn’t come as a surprise because Saiyaara has been directed by Mohit Suri. Music has always been Mohit’s strong point, whether it was in Aashiqui 2, Ek Villain, or Half Girlfriend. These days, one has seen the quality of Hindi film songs deteriorating and so the hit music of Saiyaara comes as a breath of fresh air.”
Whatever the condition of our established heroes, they will never let anyone expect those very close to them, know how down in the dumps they are. After all, they are actors — and good actors, at that. When Saiyaara opens to bumper houses tomorrow, they will flash their biggest smiles and say, “Chalo, the industry has got a new hero and a new heroine. Good for the trade.” Meanwhile, the public has already started to rejoice… because two stars are about to be born.
So let’s just say, “Welcome to Bollywood, Ahaan and Aneet. Welcome to stardom!”
