Before making her big-screen debut as the leading lady in Yash Raj Films‘ romantic drama Saiyaara, Aneet Padda was just another Delhi University student balancing academics and auditions. The Amritsar-born actress, now in the national spotlight, holds a degree in Sociology from Jesus and Mary College (JMC), one of DU’s top women’s colleges.
From Amritsar to Delhi University
Born in October 2002 in Amritsar, Punjab, Aneet Padda completed her schooling at Spring Dale Senior School, an institution known for encouraging both academic excellence and cultural pursuits. It was during her school years that her interest in performance and public presence began to take shape.After school, she moved to New Delhi to pursue higher education. She enrolled in Jesus and Mary College, affiliated with the University of Delhi, to study Sociology, a stream that explores society, identity, and human behaviour.
Life at DU: Books by day, auditions by evening
While studying at JMC, Aneet didn’t pause her creative aspirations. She started working as a model and commercial actor, appearing in advertisements for brands like Nescafe, Paytm, and Cadbury. Peers recall that she would often attend lectures in the morning and head straight to auditions in the afternoon, a routine that defined much of her college life.Director Mohit Suri, who helms Saiyaara, even revealed in interviews that Aneet managed to clear her DU exams while auditioning for the film, surprising the team with her commitment and multitasking skills.
The Breakout: Big Girls Don’t Cry and Saiyaara
Aneet’s major acting breakthrough came with Amazon Prime Video’s 2024 series Big Girls Don’t Cry. Her role as Roohi, a layered and rebellious character in a boarding school drama, won her significant attention, especially among Gen Z audiences.Now, she takes on her first big-screen lead role in Saiyaara, opposite Ahaan Panday, under the Yash Raj Films banner. With Mohit Suri directing, the film is set to be a coming-of-age romantic drama, and a major launchpad for both newcomers.
Chasing dreams without dropping out
Aneet Padda’s story is a perfect blend of education and ambition. She proves that academic focus doesn’t have to come at the cost of creative dreams. For thousands of college students aspiring to careers in media, film, or content creation, her story is both real and relatable.Whether in DU’s classrooms or under the Bollywood spotlight, Aneet is showing how discipline, education, and passion can coexist, and create something truly inspiring.TOI Education is on WhatsApp now. Follow us here.
