Mumbai: Bollywood actress Aneet Padda has attributed her outstanding performance at the Zee Cine Awards 2026 to her father, expressing that she has made his unfulfilled dream of acting a reality through her own success.
The actress walked away with not one but two prestigious trophies on the night — the Best Debut Female award and the Viewer’s Choice Best Actress honour — cementing her arrival as one of the most promising new faces in Indian cinema.
During her acceptance speech, Aneet struck an emotional chord with the audience as she dedicated both wins to her father. “The only thing coming to my mind right now is owing this to my dad — giving this to him,” she said, visibly overwhelmed.
She then spoke directly to her father in Punjabi, sharing a heartfelt message: “Papa, I know you always wanted to be an actor when you were young. Today, your daughter has become one. You once told me that you are living your dream through me — and I hope I have done that justice.”
Reflecting on the moment, she added, “I don’t think I have ever been this happy in my life. I love you so much.” Turning to the audience, she offered a touching reminder: “The applause you give us on screen is not just for the actors — it belongs to your stories, your lives, your emotions. I am truly honoured to play even a small role in bringing those stories to life.”
Making her debut in the 2025 romantic drama Saiyaaraa, directed by Mohit Suri, Aneet starred alongside Ahaan Pandey and quickly won over both critics and audiences alike. She is now set to appear in her next project, Shakti Shalini. Away from the screen, the actress is also reportedly pursuing a B.A. (Hons.) in Political Science.
With inputs from IANS