'My Hindu name is...': Ahaan Panday reveals his and sister Alanna Panday's 'real' names have Bollywood connect

Ahaan Panday, who made his debut with Mohit Suri's Saiyaara, has talked about entering the world of cinema with Yash Raj Films.

While it is obvious that his father, Chikki Panday, and uncle, Chunky Panday, go by their nicknames, one would assume that Ahaan Panday is the actor's real name. However, in a recent interview, the Saiyaara star revealed a shocker. Both he and his sister, Alanna Panday, have other 'Hindu names', which have strong connections with Yash Raj Films, the studio that eventually launched him.

Ahaan Panday on his ‘real’ name

Ahaan Panday with his sister Alanna Panday.

Ahaan is the son of Aloke 'Chikki' Panday, a businessman, and Deanne Panday, a fitness expert and author. Since Ahaan's father is a Hindu and his mother a Christian, the siblings have two names. Talking with The Hollywood Reporter India about why he chose to make his Bollywood debut with Yash Raj Films' Saiyaara, even as he had other offers, Ahaan said, "I think it goes back to my grandmother; that was the person close to me whom I lost. Yash Raj Films was a dream for me, it was the cinema I grew up with, the cinema my grandmother dreamed I would be a part of. She used to call me ‘Raj’ all the time. My sister’s Hindu name is Chandni, based on the film Chandni, and my Hindu name is Yash; we’re big filmy Yash Raj [Films] lovers."

Saiyaara, directed by Mohit Suri, is a love story between a rebellious musician (Ahaan) and a songwriter with Alzheimer's (Aneet Padda). The film received glowing reviews and was lapped up by the audience. With a global gross of ₹563 crore, it is the highest-grossing love story in Indian cinema history.