Anith Padda gave an emotional performance in ‘Saiyaaraa’, a highly successful film in which she played a young woman battling early-onset Alzheimer’s.
By now, Bollywood fans are well aware of Anith Padda’s emotional performance in ‘Saiyaaraa’, a highly successful film in which she played a young woman battling early-onset Alzheimer’s, who is slowly forgetting everything, including her boyfriend Krish Kapoor (played by newcomer Ahan Panday). But for Anith, the role was more than just being her first feature film – it had a deeply personal significance.
In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Anith revealed that her grandfather is battling Alzheimer’s. “My grandfather has Alzheimer’s, so this film was even more emotional for me. He is now at that stage where he doesn’t remember most of the things, but I believed in the story because it says, ‘Dimaag bhool jaata hai par dil kabhi nahi bhoolta.’ That is absolutely true for my grandfather,” she said.
Recalling an emotional moment, the actress 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 went to meet him, he had no problem sitting next to me—acquaintances, but I didn’t know who I was. When my film released, he couldn’t go to the theatre as he was bedridden. So my parents showed him the videos, and he smiled and said, ‘Heeraput’ and ‘Makkhan di movie.’ It was very special.”
Anite Padda also recalled one of her earliest memories with her co-star Ahan Panday. “When I was auditioning for Saiyaara, Ahan took me to Mount Mary Church. We lit a candle and I asked him his wish. He told me the opposite. A week later, when I got a call, he confessed that his wish was for me to get the role.” Saiyaara became an overnight sensation, catapulting both Anite and Ahan to fame. The film, directed by Mohit Suri, grossed Rs 563.5 crore worldwide.
