Ahan Shetty On Comparisons With Ahaan Panday: ‘There’s No Competition Between Us’
Actor Ahan Shetty , set to make his much-awaited return to cinemas with Border 2, recently opened up about the evolving dynamics of the Hindi film industry, focusing particularly on the impact of social media in shaping public perception. While promoting the film, Ahan addressed the frequent comparisons drawn between him and fellow actor Ahaan Panday , describing them as a by-product of today’s fast-paced digital culture.
In an interview with Bombay Times, Ahan explained how actors from his generation are often pitted against each other based on brief clips shared on social media rather than their complete body of work. “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,” he said.
Acknowledging the comparisons with Ahaan Panday, who recently made a successful debut with Saiyaara, Ahan was quick to dismiss any notion of rivalry. He stressed that there is mutual respect between them. “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,” Ahan said, adding that the lack of visible support among peers stems largely from social media-driven narratives.
The actor also reflected on his own journey in Bollywood. Ahan made his debut with Tadap in 2021, which starred Tara Sutaria and earned ₹35 crore against a budget of ₹27 crore. As the son of actor Suniel Shetty, he faced criticism during the nepotism debate that dominated industry conversations at the time. Addressing this, Ahan said he has always accepted his background but remains focused on his work. “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,” he shared.
Ahan will next be seen portraying Lt Cdr M. S. Rawat in Border 2, which also stars Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan, and Diljit Dosanjh. The film is scheduled for theatrical release on January 23.
In an interview with Bombay Times, Ahan explained how actors from his generation are often pitted against each other based on brief clips shared on social media rather than their complete body of work. “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,” he said.
Acknowledging the comparisons with Ahaan Panday, who recently made a successful debut with Saiyaara, Ahan was quick to dismiss any notion of rivalry. He stressed that there is mutual respect between them. “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,” Ahan said, adding that the lack of visible support among peers stems largely from social media-driven narratives.
The actor also reflected on his own journey in Bollywood. Ahan made his debut with Tadap in 2021, which starred Tara Sutaria and earned ₹35 crore against a budget of ₹27 crore. As the son of actor Suniel Shetty, he faced criticism during the nepotism debate that dominated industry conversations at the time. Addressing this, Ahan said he has always accepted his background but remains focused on his work. “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,” he shared.
Ahan will next be seen portraying Lt Cdr M. S. Rawat in Border 2, which also stars Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan, and Diljit Dosanjh. The film is scheduled for theatrical release on January 23.
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