Some moments in showbiz feel larger than the award stage they happen on. They carry warmth, honesty and a sense of two people standing exactly where their dreams once pointed.
That was the energy Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda brought to the CNN-News18 Indian of the Year 2025 ceremony, a night that not only celebrated their breakout roles in Saiyaara but also revealed the quiet strength of a friendship that has captured millions of hearts.
On November 28, the young actors were honoured with the GenZ Icon Awards, their first major jury-based recognition. But it was Aneet Padda’s acceptance speech that turned an already big moment into something unforgettable. Speaking with a mix of nerves, gratitude and unfiltered sincerity, she reflected on her journey from childhood dreams to standing on one of the country’s biggest stages and through it all, she kept returning to the people who held her together.
She thanked her parents, her well-wishers and the entire team behind Saiyaara. Yet it was when she began talking about Ahaan Panday that the room grew still. Aneet recalled how much he had impacted her journey, saying she had been chasing a certain feeling since childhood, and it was only through Saiyaara and Ahaan that she finally found it. She described how he supported her during difficult filming days, always stepping in when things felt overwhelming.
Her voice softened as she acknowledged what he meant to her, a line that has since flooded social media — being on stage with him felt like being next to “one of the best men in the world”. The audience erupted and viewers online replayed the moment repeatedly, calling it genuine, rare and “the highlight of the night”.
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Their closeness has long fueled speculation. Ever since Saiyaara became a blockbuster, Ahaan and Aneet have often been seen together, giving rise to rumours that they were more than friends. The chatter only grew when Karan Johar, on Sania Mirza’s talk show, teasingly suggested they might be the next celebrated pair of Bollywood.
However, Ahaan chose to address the murmurs directly in a recent interview. When asked if he and Aneet were dating, he offered a simple, unambiguous answer — they’re not. He described her instead as his best friend, adding that chemistry does not always come from romance. He said that sometimes, it comes from trust, comfort and feeling seen, things they have always shared.
He also recalled the one quote that bonded them even before Saiyaara, a line from Paulo Coelho about how the possibility of a dream coming true gives life its magic. That dream now sits behind them but the bond, he insisted, remains one of a kind.
Ahaan also confirmed he is currently single and when asked what sort of partner he is, he smiled and admitted that he leans toward “acts of service and grand gestures”, something he says he has learned from past relationships.
In a night meant to celebrate achievement, what stood out instead was emotion — the rare, honest kind that reminds people why they root for stars in the first place. For Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, the awards are only the beginning. But their friendship, their ease with each other and their ability to stay true even in the spotlight may just be the real story the world will remember.
