After the strong response to his debut in Saiyaara, actor Ahaan Panday is wasting no time. The young star is now preparing to start work on his second feature, an action romance directed by Ali Abbas Zafar.
According to industry buzz, principal photography is expected to begin in the last week of March in Mumbai.
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Mumbai schedule locked first
Ahaan will be joined by co-star Sharvari for the opening leg of the shoot. The team is planning a tightly packed first schedule of around 24 to 27 days in Mumbai.
Once the India schedule wraps, the unit will head to the UK for a longer second phase of filming.
Big action planned in London
Sources close to the project say the London schedule, expected to begin in May 2026, will feature a large-scale action sequence.
The sequence alone is likely to be shot over five days. Ahaan has reportedly been undergoing intense preparation, including hand-to-hand combat drills and weapon training, to step convincingly into this new role.
Insiders also suggest the film will showcase him in a noticeably different avatar compared to Saiyaara.
Film aiming for early 2027 release
If everything stays on track, the project is expected to wrap by July 2026. The makers are currently eyeing an early 2027 theatrical release.
Actor Aaishvary Thackeray is said to be playing the antagonist, which is expected to add strong dramatic conflict to the story.
Zafar returns to YRF
The film is significant for another reason, it marks Ali Abbas Zafar’s return to the Yash Raj Films banner after nearly nine years.
The director has previously delivered major commercial hits for the studio, including Mere Brother Ki Dulhan, Gunday, Sultan and Tiger Zinda Hai.
Ahaan’s quick rise
Ahaan made his debut last year with director Mohit Suri’s Saiyaara, which reportedly emerged as the highest-grossing love story in Indian cinema.
Mentored by Aditya Chopra, the newcomer trained under the YRF system for more than seven years before making his big-screen entry opposite Aneet Padda.
With his second film already rolling, the actor now looks set to test himself in a more action-heavy space.
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