Aneet Padda says her grandfather who is suffering from Alzheimer’s doesn’t remember her name, but he recognised her in Saiyaara: ‘Makkhan di movie’

Aneet Padda delivered a moving performance in Saiyaara, the runaway hit where she plays a young woman battling early-onset Alzheimer’s.

Saiyaara starred Aneet Padda in the female lead. (Photo: YRF/YouTube)

Saiyaara released on July 18.

By now, Bollywood fans are well aware of Aneet Padda’s moving performance in Saiyaara, the runaway hit where she plays a young woman battling early-onset Alzheimer’s, slowly forgetting everything, including her love, Krissh Kapoor, played by debutant Ahaan Panday. But for Aneet, the role went beyond being her first feature film-it held a deeply personal significance.

In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Aneet revealed that her grandfather is battling Alzheimer’s. “My dadu has Alzheimer’s, which is why the film was even more emotional for me. He’s at a point now where he doesn’t remember most things, but I believed in this story because it says, ‘Dimaag bhool jaata hai par dil kabhi nahi bhoolta (the mind forgets, but the heart never does).’ That’s very true for my dadu,” she shared.

Recalling a tender moment, the actor added, “He doesn’t remember my name; he doesn’t remember much. But he still calls me ‘Heeraput’ or ‘Makkhan’. The last few times I visited, he was okay with me sitting next to him—familiar but unaware of who I am. When my film released, he couldn’t go to the theatre since he’s bedridden. So my parents showed him videos, and he smiled, saying, ‘Heeraput’ and ‘Makkhan di movie.’ That was very special.”

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Aneet Padda also recalled one of her earliest memories with co-star Ahaan Panday. “When I was still auditioning for Saiyaara, Ahaan took me to Mount Mary Church. We lit a candle, and I asked him what he wished for. He turned it back on me. A week later, when I got the call, he admitted he had wished I’d get the role.”

Saiyaara became an overnight sensation, catapulting Aneet and Ahaanto fame. Directed by Mohit Suri, the film went on to gross Rs 563.5 crore worldwide.

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