Ali Abbas Zafar praises Ahaan Panday as sincere

An action-romance project is gearing up to showcase a completely different side of Ahaan Panday, and Ali Abbas Zafar is steering the ship.

Ali Abbas Zafar on directing Ahaan Panday

• Ali Abbas Zafar is helming an untitled film starring Ahaan Panday.
• Panday's old-school sincerity on camera is what sold Zafar.
• His willingness to be emotionally open apparently lands perfectly on screen.
• Zafar sees real long-term romantic-hero potential in him.

Shooting kicks off late March

• Ahaan Panday starts filming on March 30 in Mumbai.
• UK locations follow, with roughly 60 days of shooting planned there.
• Sharvari is attached as the female lead opposite him.
• Zafar is framing it as a full-on action entertainer.

Zafar's take on blending romance and action

• Ali Abbas Zafar believes emotional weight makes fight scenes hit harder.
• Romance lends grace while action brings intensity, per his vision.
• Panday's natural vulnerability is what makes the combo click for Zafar.
• Audiences need to feel purpose behind every punch, he argues.