Ahaan Panday has registered a Bollywood debut with Saiyaara that would be remembered. Until now, probably it was Hrithik Roshan who had a dreamy entry into showbiz.
Ahaan did not chose a manicured role to enter films. His Krish Kapoor was shabby, imperfect and sometimes even an anti-hero, just waiting for a flip until Aneet Padda’s Vaani Batra enters his life to turn him into a green flag. When Ahaan’s launch in 2017 under YRF fell through, he waited patiently rather than jumping bandwagons. It probably gave him a good time for him to prepare himself better. Unlike his contemporaries, here’s a nepo kid who didn’t shy away from taking the risk of staying behind curtains and letting his performance do the talking. Hrithik’s case was no different.
Debut at a ripe age, and not growing up on sets
When the teasers of Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai went on air way back in 2000, it showed Hrithik’s silhouette doing the Ek Pal Ka Jeena hookstep. We barely knew about him beyond being Rakesh Roshan’s son. He was 26, who came well trained in dance, action and acting. He did not grow up on sets. He knew what he was capable of, and stressed on his positives. Hrithik gave him best, and the fans returned it by making him an overnight sensation. Ahaan is 27, equally aware about his pluses that don’t simply restrict to his good looks. This was unlike the current breed of nepo kids entering films as soon as they complete their teens: with rough edges, poor acting, unsure about what they are capable of, and an over protective PR team.
Star kids lost in the sheen
Until 2020, the industry wasn’t aware of “nepotism” tag despite existing for decades. We must credit Kangana Ranaut for educating the masses and ensuring the audience focuses more closely on the performances, rather than simple screen presence. Its not an insider vs outsider debate anymore. It’s about who cracks the game.
While Shanaya Kapoor’s recent debut Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan sank with no trace, Janhvi Kapoor, Sara Ali Khan, Suhana Khan and Ahaan’s own cousin Ananya Panday continue to wait for that one career-defining performance. Things aren’t different with the male nepo kids. Varun Dhawan and Tiger Shroff exist, but with few movies to fall back on. Ibrahim Ali Khan and Junaid Khan have failed to impress until now. The list can go on, cementing the fact how audience continues to reject nepo kids in Bollywood. Probably they didn’t choose the right time, film or lacked an X-factor.
Not exceptions, but exceptional talent
Many might argue that Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt are two successful examples. But it took them a few movies to strike gold after their individual debuts, Saawariya (2007) and Student of The Year (2012) failed them. While Ranbir took a long time to register himself, Alia needed Imtiaz Ali’s Highway to arrive at her destination! Fans might not wish to remember their first films.
Ahaan’s humungous success also reminds us of Kumar Gaurav, son of yesteryear icon Rajendra Kumar. To say that the kind of debut he had with Love Story (1981) was probably the biggest in Bollywood, won’t be wrong. That was the age of no social media, bare minimum TV broadcast, no concept of trailers, and only songs existing on radio. A successful stint right in the first movie was massive, and Gaurav’s was nothing like Bollwood had seen until then. Even Hrithik couldn’t match that (not lying!). Ahaan is on similar lines.
Perfect balance of public and private
A star kid launch is packaged stratigically today. Months before, their social media handles start buzzing with behind-the-scenes posts, sneak-peeks into their personal lives and big announcements of trailer and songs coupled with huge promotional events. Ahaan and Aneet stepped in quietly. This time, YRF played a gamble and deliberately kept the silence, enough to leave audience curious. It was its beautiful soundtrack that did the rounds. Fans had reasons to throng theatres. Everything blew up as soon as the movie dropped. While a major share goes to Mohit Suri’s direction, the PR machinery’s brilliant tactic became a talking point, something for every other production to learn from.
If Kumar Gaurav becoming overnight star was organic, Hrithik Roshan proved why sheer dedication towards one’s craft pays well. Ahaan has added to the list of successful debuts, backed by a great team who pushed him well, both on and off the sets. They show us that if at all we must welcome star kids, that’s how it should be done – give the audience a good dose of talent and the audience will lap it, nepotism or not, doesn’t matter.