Before 'Saiyaara' Debut, Ahaan Panday Claimed No Link To Chunky Panday, Old Comment Goes Viral

Ahaan Panday finds himself back in the headlines for a resurfaced 2017 comment in which he denied any connection to his uncle, Chunky Panday.

Ahaan Panday, the latest debutant from one of Bollywood’s most recognisable film families, is enjoying a major breakthrough with 'Saiyaara', his first film, which is currently dominating the box office. But as praise pours in for his performance, an old comment from the actor’s early days online has unexpectedly come back into the spotlight.

A clip from a 2017 Instagram Live session has resurfaced, in which a then-19-year-old Ahaan responded to a fan question about his famous uncle, actor Chunky Panday.

According to a report by SpotboyE, Ahaan said: "It’s funny that my surname is Panday, but I’m nowhere connected to him. My dad is Aloke Sharad Panday, and that’s the only Panday connection I have. I have established myself in the B-town through my popularity."

At the time, the remark sparked confusion, as Ahaan’s father, known in the industry as Chikki Panday, is in fact Chunky Panday’s younger brother, making the young actor his nephew. While the intent behind the comment remains unclear, it raised eyebrows again this week as 'Saiyaara' cemented Ahaan's arrival in mainstream cinema.

Ananya Panday Supports Cousin Ahaan Panday

Despite that past moment, the Panday family has presented a united front in recent months, rallying around Ahaan since the promotional campaign for 'Saiyaara' began. His cousin Ananya Panday has actively supported him online, while Chunky Panday recently joined the chorus with a tongue-in-cheek Instagram Story that playfully took aim at Bollywood’s most prominent names.

The viral post read, “In a world of Kapoors and Khans, Pandays came out of syllabus,” and featured pictures of Chunky, Ananya, and Ahaan, a nod to the family's growing presence in the film industry.

About 'Saiyaara' 

Produced by Yash Raj Films, 'Saiyaara' stars Ahaan Panday alongside newcomer Aneet Padda and has opened to both strong reviews and impressive numbers. The film now ranks among the top five highest-grossing Hindi films of the year, alongside:

- Chhaava (Vicky Kaushal) – ₹601 crore

- Housefull 5 (Akshay Kumar) – ₹183 crore

- Raid 2 (Ajay Devgn) – ₹173 crore

- Sitaare Zameen Par (Aamir Khan) – ₹163 crore

With 'Saiyaara' crossing major milestones, Ahaan Panday’s transition from newcomer to breakout star seems well underway.