Bollywood’s newest romantic drama Saiyaara is receiving love and attention from audiences. Directed by Mohit Suri, the film stars Ahaan Panday, Aneet Padda, and Shaan R Grover. But what’s creating extra buzz is Shaan’s character – a toxic ex-boyfriend named Mahesh Iyer.
In real life, however, Shaan R Grover says he is completely opposite to his on-screen role. In a recent interview, he shared how challenging it was for him to play such a negative character and how it affected his mindset.
Not A Red Flag In Real Life
Shaan confessed that he felt extremely uncomfortable playing a character like Mahesh, who emotionally manipulates and abandons his fiancée. The character leaves his partner on their wedding day and reappears only to create confusion in her life.
In Shaan’s words, this was hard to digest because he has never behaved like that in real life. He felt strange acting in scenes that showed such heartless behaviour. Shaan said he didn’t care about how people viewed him personally, but the role pushed him out of his comfort zone.
Emotionally Challenging Experience
Shaan revealed that the role of Mahesh was emotionally distant, selfish, and lacked basic decency. Playing someone who walks away without giving closure and later tries to manipulate the same person was mentally disturbing for him. He knew the audience would dislike the character – and they should.
The hardest part for Shaan was the fear of being personally associated with such a toxic image. It made him uneasy, but he understood that this was part of the actor’s job – to play all kinds of roles.
Shaan R Grover’s Journey In Bollywood
Before making his debut on the big screen, Shaan had a long journey. He studied in Delhi, went to college in Mumbai, and started as an assistant director. He worked on Sanam Teri Kasam and trained under casting director Shanoo Sharma. Shaan worked hard doing theatre, acting workshops, and giving thousands of auditions.
He also appeared in projects like Netflix’s Nobleman and web shows Roohaniyat, Leaked, and Dus June Ki Raat. Despite being replaced many times by star kids and influencers, Shaan never gave up.
Saiyaara’s Success At Box Office
Saiyaara, released on July 18, 2025, made a thunderous start at the box office. It crossed ₹100 crore in just four days! The film marks the debut of Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, and it has now also become Shaan’s breakthrough moment on the big screen.
Conclusion
Shaan R Grover’s honest confession about playing a toxic character shows the depth of emotions an actor experiences behind the camera. While Mahesh Iyer may be a red flag in Saiyaara, Shaan is a grounded, hardworking outsider who finally got his due. His story proves that talent and honesty do matter in Bollywood – even if the path is full of obstacles.
FAQs
Who is Shaan R Grover?
Shaan is an actor from Delhi who started in Bollywood as an assistant director. He has worked in films and web series before landing his big role in Saiyaara.
Is Shaan like his character in Saiyaara?
No. Shaan has clearly stated that he is nothing like Mahesh Iyer in real life and felt disturbed playing such a toxic role.
What is Saiyaara about?
Saiyaara is a romantic drama directed by Mohit Suri, featuring newcomers Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, along with Shaan R Grover in a key negative role.
How much did Saiyaara earn?
The film collected over ₹100 crore in just four days of its release.
Where else has Shaan acted?
Shaan has appeared in Netflix’s Nobleman and web shows like Roohaniyat and Dus June Ki Raat.