Actress Aneet Padda has become a household name following the phenomenal success of her latest release, Saiyaara. The romantic drama catapulted both her and co-star Ahaan Panday into overnight sensations, marking a dramatic turning point in her nascent career. In a recent, candid interview with Cosmopolitan India, Aneet reflected on her unconventional and often desperate journey into the film industry, recalling how, at the tender age of 17, she found herself navigating scam websites and sending cold emails to dozens of production companies out of sheer determination to find work.
Aneet’s path to fame was far from glamorous. At the age of 17, driven by an ardent desire to act, she began searching online for auditions. This digital quest led her down some dubious paths, landing her on shady websites that she candidly described as “scams, basically.” Her recollections paint a vivid picture of a young, aspiring actress trying to find her footing in an opaque industry. She humorously revealed the extent of her early, misguided efforts: “Almost every production house in the Hindi film industry has my audition tape, a terrible biodata, and Snapchat filter pictures.” This self-deprecating humor underscores the innocence and lack of guidance she experienced during those formative years.
The pandemic further amplified her desperation. Aneet recalled sending cold emails to between 50 to 70 production companies, hoping to find something credible amidst the widespread industry shutdown. It was during this period of relentless effort that she had a crucial realization: opportunities were primarily negotiated on behalf of actors by professional casting agencies, not directly through unsolicited emails. This learning curve was a significant step in understanding the formal structures of the film business.
From Salaam Venky to Saiyaara’s Global Success
Aneet Padda‘s journey in acting began with her debut in Revathi’s heartwarming, slice-of-life drama Salaam Venky. In this film, she shared screen space with seasoned actress Kajol and rising talent Vishal Jethwa, gaining initial exposure to the craft and the industry. Following this, she made an impactful appearance in the web series Big Girls Don’t Cry, where her performance garnered considerable praise. The show, which is available to stream on Prime Video, featured a strong ensemble cast including Pooja Bhatt, Mukul Chadda, Raima Sen, Zoya Hussain, Avantika, and Tenzin Lhakyila in key roles. These early projects helped establish her presence and demonstrated her potential as an actress.
However, it was Mohit Suri’s romantic drama Saiyaara that truly catapulted her to widespread fame and turned her into an overnight sensation. In Saiyaara, Aneet was paired with fellow debutant Ahaan Panday, and their undeniable onscreen chemistry captivated audiences. The film itself became a monumental success, emerging as one of the highest-grossing films of 2025 and, remarkably, the biggest romantic drama ever in Indian cinema, earning an astounding ₹569.75 crore worldwide. This unprecedented commercial success cemented her status as a breakout star.
The film’s impact wasn’t just limited to the box office; it also received widespread acclaim from industry stalwarts. Notable figures such as Alia Bhatt, Karan Johar, and Mahesh Babu publicly praised Saiyaara, further validating Aneet’s talent and the film’s success. This industry recognition, combined with her massive commercial triumph, has firmly established Aneet Padda as one of the most exciting new faces in Indian cinema.
Currently, Aneet Padda has yet to announce her next project, leaving fans eagerly anticipating her return to the screen. Her journey, from desperately sending “Snapchat filter pictures” to landing a role in a record-breaking film, stands as an inspiring testament to resilience, luck, and the transformative power of a single breakthrough role in the competitive world of Bollywood. Her story is a reminder that sometimes, even starting on “scam websites” can lead to genuine stardom.