Aneet Padda is an Indian actress born on 13 October 2002 in Amritsar, Punjab. She rose from a brief debut role to becoming one of Bollywood’s most talked-about new leads.
Her breakthrough came with the 2025 romantic drama Saiyaara.
Who is Aneet Padda?
Aneet Padda is an Indian film and television actress who works mainly in Hindi cinema. She started small, with a brief role in Salaam Venky in 2022.
Her real breakout arrived through television and streaming first.
She took the lead in the 2024 Amazon Prime Video series Big Girls Don’t Cry, playing a character named Roohi Ahuja. That role built her reputation before Bollywood came calling in a bigger way.
In 2025, Padda starred opposite debutant Ahaan Panday in Saiyaara, directed by Mohit Suri for Yash Raj Films. The film became a massive commercial success and turned her into a household name almost overnight.
Early Life of Aneet Padda
Padda was born and raised in Amritsar, Punjab, and completed her schooling at Spring Dale Senior School in the city. She later moved between Delhi, Mumbai, and Chandigarh while balancing college and early modeling work.
Acting was not always the plan for her family. She has said her father once wanted to become an actor himself and was initially unsupportive when she chose to pursue the same path.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Padda sent over 50 cold emails to production companies trying to find acting work. That effort eventually led to a coffee advertisement, her first professional break in front of a camera.
She began modeling in advertisements while still studying in Delhi. One of her earliest jobs was a textile advertisement shot in Chandigarh.
Aneet Padda Age
Aneet Padda is 23 years old as of 2026, born on 13 October 2002. Her zodiac sign is Libra.
Aneet Padda Ethnicity and Nationality
Aneet Padda is Indian by nationality. She was born and raised in Punjab, and her family background is Punjabi.
Her early years in Amritsar, followed by her move to Delhi for college, shaped much of the cultural grounding reflected in interviews about her upbringing.
Aneet Padda Height and Weight
Aneet Padda is commonly reported to stand around 5 feet 5 inches tall, or about 165 centimeters. Her exact weight has not been confirmed through reliable sources.
She is often described in media coverage as having a slim, youthful build suited to her on-screen roles.
Aneet Padda Education
Aneet Padda completed her schooling at Spring Dale Senior School in Amritsar. She then enrolled at Jesus and Mary College, University of Delhi, where she pursued a bachelor’s degree majoring in political science with a minor in English.
As of 2025, she was still completing coursework alongside her acting career. Her final exams were scheduled for December 2025 and January 2026, meaning she balanced college deadlines with the release and promotion of Saiyaara.
Her old college bio went viral online in August 2025 after Saiyaara’s release, with fans reacting to how relatable it seemed for a rising film star.
Aneet Padda Career
Padda’s path to acting began with commercials before expanding into film and streaming projects. Her career has moved quickly across three very different mediums within just a few years.
Breakthrough Role and Career Start
Padda’s first on-screen credit came in Salaam Venky (2022), a drama centered on euthanasia directed by Revathi. She played the love interest of Vishal Jethwa’s character, appearing alongside Kajol in a supporting role.
The Hindu’s film critic Shilpa Nair spoke favorably of her presence in the film. It was a brief part, but it marked her entry into Hindi cinema.
Two years later, Padda landed her first lead role. She starred as Roohi Ahuja in Nitya Mehra’s Big Girls Don’t Cry, an Amazon Prime Video coming-of-age drama about a friend group at a boarding school.
She also wrote, composed, and sang an original track for the series titled “Masoom.” Critics gave the ensemble cast positive notices even though the show received a mixed overall reception.
Notable Films and Projects
In 2025, Padda appeared in a segment of the anthology series Yuva Sapno Ka Safar, credited under the name Aneet Kaur. Soon after, she landed the role that changed her career entirely.
Mohit Suri cast her in Saiyaara opposite newcomer Ahaan Panday for Yash Raj Films. She played Vaani Batra, an aspiring lyricist diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s who falls for an emerging singer played by Panday.
Suri was reportedly impressed by her self-tape audition but initially found her formal audition lacking. Panday convinced him to give her a second chance, after which she won the part.
The Hollywood Reporter’s Rahul Desai praised her performance, describing her portrayal as bringing a literary quality to a role that could easily have felt one-dimensional. Saiyaara went on to gross over ₹5.79 billion, or roughly $61 million, making it the fourth highest-grossing Indian film of 2025.
Recent Work
Padda is set to reunite with director Nitya Mehra for the courtroom drama Nyaya, which also stars Fatima Sana Shaikh. That project had already been filmed before Saiyaara was released.
She is also taking on the title role in Shakti Shalini, part of the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe. Filming began in March 2026 and wrapped in May 2026.
Following Saiyaara’s success, brands moved quickly to sign her. She became an ambassador for several major names in a short span of time.
Aneet Padda Filmography
Films:
- Salaam Venky (2022) as Nandini
- Saiyaara (2025) as Vaani Batra
- Shakti Shalini (2026, unreleased) as the title role
Television and streaming:
- Big Girls Don’t Cry (2024) as Roohi Ahuja, Prime Video series
- Yuva Sapno Ka Safar (2025) as Harleen, credited as Aneet Kaur
- Nyaya (unreleased) role not yet disclosed
Aneet Padda Awards and Recognition
Padda picked up a wide range of nominations and wins following Saiyaara’s release. Her recognition spans acting honors as well as industry-wide breakthrough awards.
- Filmfare OTT Awards 2024: Best Original Soundtrack in a Series nomination for Big Girls Don’t Cry, shared with the show’s composers
- CNN-News18 Indian of the Year Awards 2025: GenZ Icon Award win, alongside Ahaan Panday
- Bollywood Hungama India Entertainment Awards: Most Iconic Debut of the Year, Female, for Saiyaara; also won Best On-Screen Jodi of the Year with Panday
- Vogue Values 2026: Women of Excellence honor
- 24th Zee Cine Awards 2026: nominated for Best Actor, Female, Jury; won Viewers’ Choice Best Actor Female and Best Debut Female
- CNN-News18 Showsha Reel Awards 2026: Star of the Year, Female
- Pinkvilla Screen and Style Icons Awards: Best Debut, Female
- The Hollywood Reporter India’s Women in Entertainment: Breakthrough Artist of the Year
- Screen Awards 2026: Breakthrough New Actor, Female
She was also recognized on IMDb’s STARmeter rankings as a breakout performer following Saiyaara’s release.
Aneet Padda Brand Endorsements
After Saiyaara’s success, Padda became a celebrity ambassador for several major brands. She signed with Lakmé Cosmetics, positioned as the brand’s face for younger audiences.
She also became the brand ambassador for Mia by Tanishq, announced in September 2025. Reliance Trends and Pepsi followed, with the Pepsi campaign featuring her alongside Panday in March 2026.
Aneet Padda Boyfriend
Aneet Padda has not confirmed a relationship as of 2026. Her on-screen chemistry with Saiyaara co-star Ahaan Panday sparked ongoing public speculation, especially after the film’s release.
However, neither actor has publicly confirmed a romance.
Padda has described Panday warmly in interviews and award speeches, including calling him one of the best men she knows, but these comments were framed around friendship and their working partnership rather than a confirmed relationship.
Aneet Padda Net Worth
Aneet Padda’s net worth is around $1.2 million as of 2026.
Her income sources include film fees, her Amazon Prime Video work, brand endorsements with companies like Lakmé and Tanishq, and modeling assignments.
As her film career grows following Saiyaara’s box office success, her earning potential is widely expected to rise.
Aneet Padda Social Media
Aneet Padda is active on Instagram under the handle @aneetpadda_, where she shares updates about her projects and personal life. This is her verified account tied to her acting career.
She does not appear to maintain a widely confirmed presence on other major platforms like Twitter/X or YouTube under a verified account.
The Bottom Line
Aneet Padda’s breakthrough came with Saiyaara in 2025, a Yash Raj Films release that became the fourth highest-grossing Indian film of the year. Her performance as Vaani Batra earned praise from critics including The Hollywood Reporter.
She balanced college exams at Jesus and Mary College with her rising film career, finishing her degree while promoting a box office hit.
Her path started with cold emails during the pandemic and a small role beside Kajol in 2022.
She is now preparing for the courtroom drama Nyaya and the horror film Shakti Shalini, both expected to expand her range. Her endorsement deals with brands like Lakmé and Tanishq suggest her visibility is only growing.
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