Aneet Padda: Rising Star or YRF’s Puppet?

Yash Raj Films (YRF) has pulled off a masterstroke with Saiyaara, turning newcomer Aneet Padda into the face of their next big Gen-Z star. With the film crossing ₹247 crore in ten days, her debut seems flawless—but insiders suggest it’s more of a marketing move than organic stardom.

Aneet had already signed a multi-project deal with YRF before Saiyaara released. Her upcoming teen legal drama Nyaya, directed by Nitya Mehra and Karan Kapadia, was shot earlier but is now being positioned to enhance her image. In it, she plays a college student turned justice-seeker, crafted to appeal to today’s socially aware audience. Critics say this is more about branding than raw talent.

With five more YRF projects lined up, Aneet is being shaped into their new poster girl—one who can sell big without an established past. And with Saiyaara raking in ₹326 crore globally, she fits the bill. Yet, many argue the film’s success owes more to Mohit Suri’s direction, a powerful soundtrack, and debut freshness than Aneet’s performance.

Her sudden rise seems less about star quality and more about calculated strategy. YRF withheld pre-release promotions to create mystery, a classic tactic to build hype. Trade circles now call her a ₹400 crore star at 22, but some question whether the belief in her is real—or just clever packaging.

For now, Aneet Padda is Bollywood’s newest name, but whether she becomes a true star or just another industry product remains to be seen.