From scam websites for auditions at 17 to cold emailing production houses, how Aneet Padda became the breakout star of 2025

Actor Aneet Padda has become one of the breakout stars of 2025, thanks to the massive success of Saiyaara. The romantic drama, directed by Mohit Suri and co-starring Ahaan Panday, made her a household name almost overnight. But behind this newfound fame is a journey filled with struggles, self-doubt, and relentless hustle. Before becoming part of the Rs 500 crore club at the box office, Aneet faced several hurdles, including scam auditions and a long wait for her big break. Now, the actor is all set to step into the next chapter of her career.

Aneet Padda's journey to become a superstar overnight

Long before the spotlight found her, Aneet was just a teenager chasing a dream. During a conversation with Cosmopolitan, Aneet shared that at the age of 17, she began applying for auditions online, unaware that many of the websites she visited were dubious. She unknowingly submitted personal information, headshots, and audition tapes to platforms she later realised were scams. With no industry connections and little guidance, she also sent cold emails to nearly 50 to 70 production houses during the pandemic, hoping someone would give her a chance. Eventually, she realised that casting agencies, not production houses, are the ones who manage opportunities for newcomers.


Aneet’s passion for acting started much earlier, though. She first felt the spark on stage at the age of 10 during a school play. That early applause gave her a sense of validation for being different, something she held onto, even when those around her didn’t quite understand her dreams. Facing little encouragement from friends and family, including her father, Aneet admitted that she stopped chasing her ambitions for a while, doubting herself and feeling unsure if acting was even worth pursuing.

Despite the early setbacks, Aneet finally broke into films with Revathi’s Salaam Venky, where she starred alongside Kajol and Vishal Jethwa. She then earned critical acclaim for her role in the Amazon Prime Video series Big Girls Don’t Cry, sharing the screen with actors like Pooja Bhatt and Raima Sen.

Aneet received a call from Alia Bhatt

But it was Saiyaara that transformed her career. The film not only became a blockbuster, collecting over Rs 569 crore globally, but also put her in the spotlight as one of the most promising young actors in the country. Her chemistry with co-star Ahaan Panday was widely praised, and audiences connected with her performance on a deeper level.


One of the most special moments for Aneet came when Alia Bhatt, an actor she had long admired, personally called her after watching Saiyaara. Alia reportedly spent nearly ten minutes praising her performance. For Aneet, who used to practise Alia’s monologues in the mirror as a teen, it was a surreal full-circle moment.

Meanwhile, on the work front, there were rumours that Aneet Padda had replaced Kiara Advani in Maddock Films’ upcoming project Shakti Shalini. However, the makers quickly shut down the speculation. In an official statement, they clarified that the casting for Shakti Shalini and Maha Munjya has not been finalised yet. Stay tuned!