Fatima Sana Shaikh and Zoya Hussain on Aneet Padda’s Approach to ‘Hunkkaar’: ‘Everyone Including Aneet Took the Scenes to Another Level’ (EXCLUSIVE)

Aneet Padda shot for “Hunkkaar” before she became widely known for her breakout role as Vaani Batra in Yash Raj Films’ “Saiyaara” (2025), which went on to become a major box-office success. The streaming series, which finally premiered on September 28, sees Padda play Meenu Rawat, a 17-year-old student who accuses an influential spiritual leader, Baajpi (Raghubir Yadav), of sexual assault.

The cast of “Hunkkaar” also includes Fatima Sana Shaikh, Zoya Hussain, Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub and more. Speaking to Variety India, Shaikh and Hussain reflected on Padda’s performance and the ensemble’s approach to the series. Shaikh highlighted how each actor brought their own sensibility to the scenes while remaining attentive to their co-stars, while Hussain spoke about watching Padda evolve as an actor and take on a more serious and intense role.

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Shaikh says that the process ultimately matters less than whether an actor is able to deliver in the moment and contribute to the scene. She also praises the ensemble for elevating each other’s performances, including Padda, Yadav and Ayyub.

“Everyone has their own approach. I think when we perform on our own, we don't analyze anyone else's process. At least, I don't. Everyone has their own problems and stress, whether we are doing it [the performance] right or not. Because in the end, the process doesn't matter. Whether you're delivering at that moment or not, that matters.”

Speaking about Padda as a co-actor, Shaikh further says, “It also matters whether your co-actor is good or not. You may think you are really doing well, but you are not aiding the scene or not being a good co-actor. I don't feel any of the actors in ‘Hunkkaar’ did that. Everybody, be it her (Aneet), Raghu ji (Raghubir Yadav) or Zeeshan Ayyub, all of them helped us better the scenes to another level.”

Hussain, meanwhile, speaks about watching Aneet’s evolution as an actor and her curiosity to see her take on a more serious and intense role.

“Specifically about Aneet, I didn't have any scenes with her. But I've seen her over the years. I'm so inquisitive and curious to see what she's done. I have seen her in various avatars now. So this is a more serious and intense one. She's a big girl. So, it'll be interesting to watch. But in general, I love watching actors. I love stealing from actors all the time. The way she does something, even if I try to copy her exactly, I won't be able to do it how she does it,” she adds.