Varun Badola on ‘Saiyaara’ Success, Aneet Padda and Ahaan Panday: ‘Didn’t Look Like Their First Film’ (EXCLUSIVE)

It’s been a year since Mohit Suri’s “Saiyaara,” which delivered not just box office numbers but also two new actors with fiery chemistry and bright futures ahead: Aneet Padda and Ahaan Panday. But in hindsight, did those working on the film have an inkling of its breakout success and the popularity of its lead pair? Actor Varun Badola, who starred in the film, confirms that this film was indeed a lightning in a bottle. But there were still some signs that he spotted that suggested “Saiyaara” and its lead actors were capable of making magic.

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Badola became a household name with a stellar career in Indian television shows like "Koshish: Ek Aashaa" and "Des Mein Niklaa Hoga Chand," and just as seamlessly made his path in streaming and films. In "Saiyaara," he played an alcoholic and estranged father to Ahaan Panday's Krish Kapoor, until Aneet Padda's Vaani brought them together. In an exclusive chat with Variety India, the “Undekhi” actor revealed what he thought of the film’s trajectory.

“A film like “Saiyaara,” did I know it was going to be such a huge hit? No, I had no idea. When they made “Sholay,” did they know they were making “Sholay”? Of course, not. No one knew! But on the last day of my shoot, the film’s music got released on YouTube. And I knew one thing: The music is definitely going to work. And in India, it’s still a thing that if a film's music works, then chances are that the film is going to do well. But this well? I had no idea.”

When asked about his first impressions of Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, Badola revealed how they seemed promising from the beginning. “The biggest thing you can say after watching Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda—and I have worked with them—is that it never looked like they were doing their first film. I spoke to her a lot, and I realized, probably because she is an Amritsar girl who grew up in Delhi, that there is no problem with her diction. In Ahaan’s case, he knew that he had a great opportunity and he did not want to squander it."

Varun Badola was last seen in SonyLIV’s “Undekhi” Season 4, in which he plays Rajveer Malhotra, estranged brother and rival to Harsh Chhaya's Papaji. While a fifth season has not been officially announced, the cast has been indicating that the story is not yet over.