Ahan Shetty On Being Compared To Ahaan Panday: ‘Social Media Has Created A Divide’

Ahan Shetty is gearing up for his return to cinemas with Border 2 , and while promoting the film, the actor shared honest thoughts on how social media is shaping perceptions of young actors in Bollywood. According to Ahan, the online world often creates unnecessary comparisons and divides, something he believes doesn’t reflect reality within the industry.

On Being Pitted Against Fellow Actors

Ahan addressed frequent comparisons between him and Ahaan Panday , another young actor who recently found success with Saiyaara. He said, "Today, people just react to what they see in a 2-3 second clip. That’s what’s happening in my generation. We’re being put up against each other. I know there are comparisons between Ahaan Panday and me. I know that guy. I know how hard he’s worked for his film and everything that he’s done to prepare for it. There’s no competition between us. We have our own careers. There is so much love and respect amongst each other, and that is what needs to come out. We’re all one industry. Social media has created a divide, and that’s why you don’t see so much support for one another."

Navigating the Nepotism Debate

Debuting with Tadap in 2021 alongside Tara Sutaria, Ahan faced the brunt of the nepotism debate. The film earned around ₹35 crore against a ₹27 crore budget, and scrutiny followed, largely because he is the son of veteran actor Suniel Shetty. Reflecting on the experience, Ahan admitted saying, “It’s been a long journey since Tadap came out in 2021. It’s definitely not been easy. I mean, the whole nepotism debate comes up a lot. I’ve always accepted it. My father is an actor, and I wanted to be an actor. I think it is important to stay focused on what you want to do and not let the noise around you affect you too much. I focus on giving my director and producer my 200 per cent.”

All Eyes on Border 2

Up next, Ahan will be seen portraying Lt Cdr M. S. Rawat in Border 2, a film that boasts an ensemble cast including Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan, and Diljit Dosanjh. With its theatrical release set for January 23, the film marks a significant chapter in Ahan’s career, one that he hopes will speak louder than online comparisons and debates.

As Ahan steps back into the spotlight, his message is clear: careers aren’t built in seconds-long clips, but through patience, hard work, and respect within a shared industry.