"the first award of my acting career"
IMDb has presented its “Breakout Star” STARmeter Awards to Saiyaara co-stars Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda.
The award recognises high performers on IMDb’s Popular Indian Celebrities list, which tracks page views from more than 250 million monthly visitors worldwide.
The list is seen as a strong predictor of rising stars on the verge of major career breakthroughs.
In Saiyaara, directed by Mohit Suri and produced by Yash Raj Films, Ahaan makes his big-screen debut as Krish Kapoor, a musician seeking redemption.
Aneet plays Vaani Batra, a journalist confronting personal struggles.
Both have received critical and audience praise for their performances. The film has become a box-office phenomenon.
The pair achieved the No. 1 position on the Popular Indian Celebrities list in consecutive weeks.
They also entered IMDb’s global Top 100 Most Popular Celebs list in the week after the film’s release, with Aneet at 64th and Ahaan at 75, a historic feat for co-stars from Indian cinema.
Ahaan Panday said: “The IMDb ‘Breakout Star’ STARmeter Award is the first award of my acting career, and the fact that it comes directly from audiences makes it all the more special.
“I spent my whole childhood scouring IMDb, seeing different polls, watching the rise and fall of various movies and shows.
“IMDb was a portal for me to lose myself into world cinema.
“To be mentioned on it, to be a part of it, to be honoured by it, and to know that I’m up there somewhere, would have been something that a 12-year-old on his box computer could never have fathomed, but always dreamed of.
“I’d like to thank Adi sir for believing in me and Mohit sir for being the best mentor I could have asked for in this journey of Saiyaara.
“Sharing this award with my co-star Aneet makes this achievement even more special. She deserves not only this but the world.
“For now, I want to focus on my journey ahead. I want to focus on my next film and work twice as hard to deliver another performance that I can be proud of.
“I’m overwhelmed to have received this unanimous love from people, it still shocks me to this day, and honestly, I think the only way to go forward is keep my head low and keep working.”
Aneet Padda added: “I’m delighted that Saiyaara and my performance in it has resonated with audiences worldwide, which has led to my winning the IMDb ‘Breakout Star’ STARmeter Award.
“Winning an accolade that is driven by audiences makes this truly a meaningful recognition.
“I’m thrilled to have entertained people with a performance that has touched them.”
“I’d like to dedicate my first award to the entire cast and crew of the film, and to Adi sir and Mohit sir for their belief in someone like me, and to my co-star Ahaan. It’s been an absolute joy to share the screen and this journey with him.
“It is truly precious when people believe in your skills and give you that one chance you need.
“Playing Vaani has been one of the most joyful and intense experiences of my life. I can’t wait to be back on screen soon and do what I love most, bringing stories and incredible characters to life.
“I want to focus on my next film, take all this love and channelise it to do even better on screen next time.”
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