From DU to Silver Screen: How Aneet Padda Became Bollywood’s Overnight ‘National Crush

Amritsar-born, Delhi-educated Aneet Padda rose from commercials and small roles to commanding hearts across India with her debut in Saiyaara all before turning 23.

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Highlights
  • Born in Amritsar (2002), pursued Political Science at DU’s prestigious Jesus and Mary College.
  • Started career as a teenager—modelling for ads and balancing auditions with academics.
  • Debut in Salaam Venky (2022) as a background artist; earned praise for her screen presence.
  • First lead role came in Amazon Prime’s Big Girls Don’t Cry (2024); she even wrote and sang an original song "Masoom."
  • Breakthrough as lead actress in Mohit Suri’s Saiyaara (2025)—her charm and performance made her Bollywood’s new “national crush.”
  • Fans discovered her LinkedIn, revealing her degree in Political Science and an internship at Vistara—adding real-world credentials to her star appeal.
  • Social media loved her personal side too: a viral clip of Aneet singing Saiyaara’s song with her father resonated deeply online.
  • Even her restraint in public, like politely refusing a fan’s selfie, sparked sympathy—people saw her as refreshingly grounded amid rising fame.

Aneet Padda’s journey is the kind of feel-good story the entertainment world needs. Born on October 14, 2002, in Amritsar, she grew up in a middle-class Sikh-Punjabi family and attended Spring Dale School before heading to Delhi University’s Jesus and Mary College. There, she balanced her Political Science degree with modelling, early auditions, and a modest internship at Vistara a juxtaposition of education and creative aspiration.

Her acting debut was humble: a fleeting appearance in the 2022 drama Salaam Venky, where critics took note of her screen presence. Things began to change in 2024 when she landed a lead role in Big Girls Don’t Cry, streaming on Amazon Prime. There, she impressed not only with her acting but also by writing and performing the soulful track “Masoom.”

But it was Saiyaara, Mohit Suri’s 2025 romantic musical drama, that catapulted her into the limelight. Paired opposite debutant Ahaan Panday, Aneet’s portrayal of the poetic Vaani Batra struck a chord with critics and audiences alike. Overnight, she earned the affectionate title of India’s “national crush.”

Behind the glitz, Aneet remains refreshingly grounded. Fans unearthed her LinkedIn profile, which revealed her educational background and Vistara internship proof of her multifaceted life beyond acting. Then came a social media moment to melt hearts: a video of her singing Saiyaara with her father, candidly admitting “the singing may be rusty but the love isn’t.” Even when a fan asked for a selfie, she declined gently—earning praise for keeping her dignity intact amid fame’s pressures.

Conclusion

Aneet Padda is not just a rising star; she’s a breath of fresh air in Bollywood’s youth scene—talented, educated, and emotionally genuine. With her debut already making waves, her upcoming romantic venture directed by Maneesh Sharma is highly anticipated. The road ahead looks bright—and she’s walking it with grace.

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