Raveena Tandon calls herself 'proudest Maasi' as niece Aafiya Sayed debuts in Prem Keetanu
Synopsis
Raveena Tandon's glowing Instagram tribute to her niece Aafiya Sayed — calling herself the 'proudest Maasi' — puts a personal, emotional spotlight on Prem Keetanu's release. It is a rare instance of a veteran star publicly championing a newcomer from within her own family, making it a story about both a film debut and a family legacy on screen.
Key Takeaways
Raveena Tandon praised her niece Aafiya Sayed's debut in Prem Keetanu via an Instagram post on 2 October 2026 .
Raveena called herself the 'proudest Maasi', highlighting Aafiya's hard work and resilience on her path to the screen.
Prem Keetanu is directed by Apoorv Singh Karki and is a college-set comedy-drama currently in theatres.
Veer Pahariya , Aparshakti Khurana , and Nikhil Isht also star in the film and were praised by Raveena for their performances.
Raveena Tandon was last seen in Ahmed Khan's ensemble comedy Welcome To The Jungle .
Actress Raveena Tandon has publicly celebrated her niece Aafiya Sayed's big-screen debut in Prem Keetanu, declaring herself the 'proudest Maasi' after watching Aafiya on screen for the first time. The veteran star took to Instagram on 2 October 2026 to share an effusive congratulatory message, spotlighting the younger actress's perseverance through challenges on her path to her first film role.
Raveena's Heartfelt Message
In a detailed Instagram post, Raveena wrote: 'Congratulations @aafiyasayed_. Love blessings and everything that your heart desires should be fulfilled. I have seen you work hard dedicatedly towards your goal. Obstacles in your way, but never losing focus. Alone, Standing strong.' She went further, adding: 'Braving it all for that one opportunity towards the winning post. Today seeing you in your full glory on the screen has made me the proudest Maasi of all. Love you beta and may Eeshwar bestow upon you all the blessings and more.' Closing with a recommendation, she wrote: 'With all our love, Welcome to the movies, you are here to conquer. #premkeetanu playing at your nearest theatre. #funfilm.'
Praise for the Full Cast
Raveena also singled out her co-stars for special mention, lauding Veer Pahariya, Aparshakti Khurana, and Nikhil Isht for their performances. 'Excellent performances. @veerpahariya you are too good! @aparshakti_khurana wickedly fantastic. @nickhilist you are too cute and funnyyyyyy! Congratulations,' she wrote, signalling broad appreciation for the ensemble.
About Prem Keetanu
Directed by Apoorv Singh Karki, Prem Keetanu is a comedy-drama that follows a group of college friends navigating heartbreak, family expectations, career challenges, and the turbulence of growing up. The film charts their collective search for love, purpose, and success — themes that have long resonated with young Indian audiences. The film is currently playing in theatres.
Raveena Tandon's Recent Work
Raveena Tandon was most recently seen on screen in director Ahmed Khan's ensemble comedy Welcome To The Jungle, which featured an extensive star cast including Akshay Kumar, Jackie Shroff, Sanjay Dutt, Suniel Shetty, Arshad Warsi, Paresh Rawal, Disha Patani, Lara Dutta, Jacqueline Fernandez, Shreyas Talpade, and many others. That film was loosely inspired by the 2005 American comedy The Producers and the 2008 American film Tropic Thunder.
A New Chapter for the Family
The public endorsement from a figure of Raveena's stature carries weight in an industry where family ties and mentorship can shape early careers. Aafiya Sayed's debut in Prem Keetanu marks the arrival of a new voice from a family with deep cinematic roots — and with her maasi's blessing front and centre, audience curiosity around her performance is only likely to grow.
Point of View
Suggesting Aafiya earned her place without the easy passage that family connections can sometimes imply. For Prem Keetanu, a mid-budget comedy-drama, the social media moment may prove more valuable than any marketing spend. Whether the film itself delivers on the maasi's billing is now the only remaining question.
NationPress
2 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Aafiya Sayed and how is she related to Raveena Tandon?
Aafiya Sayed is the niece of actress Raveena Tandon and is making her Bollywood debut with the comedy-drama Prem Keetanu. Raveena publicly referred to herself as Aafiya's 'Maasi' in her congratulatory Instagram post.
What is Prem Keetanu about?
Prem Keetanu is a college-set comedy-drama directed by Apoorv Singh Karki. It follows a group of friends navigating heartbreak, family expectations, career pressures, and the search for love and purpose as they grow up.
Who else stars in Prem Keetanu alongside Aafiya Sayed?
The film also stars Veer Pahariya, Aparshakti Khurana, and Nikhil Isht, all of whom received praise from Raveena Tandon in her Instagram post.
What was Raveena Tandon's last film before Prem Keetanu's release?
Raveena Tandon was most recently seen in Ahmed Khan's ensemble comedy Welcome To The Jungle, which featured a large cast including Akshay Kumar, Sanjay Dutt, Jackie Shroff, and several others.
What did Raveena Tandon say about Aafiya Sayed's debut?
Raveena wrote on Instagram that watching Aafiya on screen 'in your full glory' had made her the 'proudest Maasi of all', citing her niece's hard work, focus, and ability to overcome obstacles on the path to her debut.
