MUMBAI – Mohit Suri’s Saiyaara, a musical romance, continues to wow audiences and hold strong at the Indian box office, now moving past ₹270 crore after 13 days. With newcomers Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda as leads, the film has surprised many by becoming one of the biggest Hindi hits of 2025.
Even after its lowest single-day earnings of ₹7.25 crore on the second Wednesday, Saiyaara’s overall results remain impressive. Industry experts believe it could touch the ₹300 crore mark by week’s end.
Saiyaara Box Office Milestones
Backed by Yash Raj Films, Saiyaara has set new standards for films featuring fresh faces. Released on 18 July 2025, the movie opened with ₹21.5 crore, a huge figure for a debutant-led project.
The first weekend raked in ₹83 crore, making it the top opening for a romantic drama in Bollywood history. Collections stayed in double digits all week, reaching ₹172.75 crore by week’s close. The ₹200 crore milestone came on the second Saturday, a mark usually reserved for films starring well-known actors.
By day 13, estimates put Saiyaara’s India net total at ₹271.6 crore. The second week kept up the pace with ₹30 crore on the second Sunday and ₹9.25 crore on Monday.
Tuesday and Wednesday saw smaller takings, ₹9.5 crore and ₹7.25 crore, mainly because of midweek dips and competition from Mahavtar Narsimha. Still, Saiyaara has outperformed major releases like Salman Khan’s Sikandar (₹110 crore), Akshay Kumar’s Sky Force (₹112 crore), and even Shah Rukh Khan’s Chennai Express (₹227 crore).
Including overseas markets, Saiyaara’s worldwide gross stands at ₹418.48 crore, with ₹90.5 crore coming from abroad. It’s now the second-biggest Hindi film of 2025, behind only Chhaava starring Vicky Kaushal (₹827.06 crore).
Trade analyst Taran Adarsh said, “Saiyaara’s second Saturday beating its first is rare these days. The film has grown because people are talking about it and connecting with its story.” Strong demand has led to an increase in screens from 2,225 to 3,650, keeping it at the top until Son of Sardaar 2 and Dhadak 2 arrive on 1 August.
A Story That Connects
Directed by Mohit Suri, known for his previous romantic hits like Aashiqui 2 and Ek Villain, Saiyaara follows Krish Kapoor (Ahaan Panday), a musician, and Vaani Batra (Aneet Padda), a poet coping with heartbreak and lost memories.
Their journey, set to moving music and striking visuals, explores themes of healing and hope. While the story draws inspiration from the 2004 Korean film A Moment to Remember, it has earned praise for its emotional pull and presentation.
The film’s soundtrack, created by Mithoon, Tanishk Bagchi, Vishal Mishra, and Sachet-Parampara, has caught on with listeners everywhere. Tracks like “Saiyaara,” “Dhun,” “Barbaad,” “Tum Ho Toh,” and “Humsafar” have soared on streaming platforms and social media. John Stewart Eduri’s score and Vikas Sivaraman’s cinematography add depth to the viewing experience.
Fans have filled social media with dance clips and heartfelt tributes. One post reads, “I hope when love finds me, it sounds like Saiyaara. Ahaan and Aneet are incredible!” Another says, “True love remembers the past. Saiyaara shines!”
A Hit with Critics and Audiences
Saiyaara has received a warm welcome from critics, holding a 79% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 14 reviews. Taran Adarsh of Bollywood Hungama rated it 4.5 out of 5, calling it “a powerful musical drama with strong direction, genuine romance, and standout lead performances.”
Rishil Jogani of Pinkvilla gave the film 3.5 stars, noting the chemistry and emotional moments as key draws. Rishabh Suri of Hindustan Times wrote, “Saiyaara doesn’t break new ground, but its heart is in the right place.” Some critics on IMDb have mentioned its close ties to A Moment to Remember and felt the original should have been credited more clearly.
Viewers have been just as enthusiastic, praising the film’s heartfelt story and the leads’ chemistry. Social media users called Saiyaara a “box office tsunami” and a “massive blockbuster.”
Industry watchers, including @SumitkadeI, predict it could go beyond ₹400 crore in total. The film’s appeal reaches across both metro cities like Mumbai and Delhi and smaller towns such as Naroda in Gujarat, where opening weekend theatre occupancy hit 75-80%. Videos of fans celebrating in cinemas have gone viral, showing the film’s wide impact.
New Stars Emerge
Ahaan Panday, who is Chunky Panday’s nephew, has impressed as Krish Kapoor. Critics note his mix of strength and vulnerability, especially in key scenes set at Wembley Stadium. Aneet Padda builds on her role from Salaam Venky, bringing depth to Vaani Batra’s character.
Their on-screen partnership has stood out, with Akshay Kumar describing their achievement as a “proud moment for Hindi cinema.” Geeta Agrawal Sharma, Rajesh Kumar, and Alam Khan lend emotional weight to the story, while Varun Badola and Shaad Randhawa stand out in supporting roles.
Mohit Suri’s choice to introduce newcomers has proven successful. Speaking to PTI, he highlighted the importance of real emotion in love stories. Suri originally thought about making the film as part of the Aashiqui series, but Saiyaara found its own identity and struck a chord with viewers.
Obstacles and What Lies Ahead
Despite its success, Saiyaara has faced minor issues such as CBFC edits for a brief sensual scene and some strong language, leading to a U/A certificate. Some have criticized the reliance on tried-and-tested story elements and the clear influence of A Moment to Remember.
With Son of Sardaar 2 and Dhadak 2 set to release soon, Saiyaara’s continued success will depend on how well it stays connected with its audience.
Trade experts are confident about its prospects, with Komal Nahta pointing out, “Saiyaara’s popularity in smaller towns like Naroda shows the strength of a good story over big names.” With a reported budget of ₹40-50 crore and strong earnings, the film is already one of Bollywood’s most profitable ventures this year.
Saiyaara’s strong run highlights how audiences still love well-made romantic dramas. Its winning mix of music, genuine performances, and Mohit Suri’s style has not only given Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda their big break but also raised the bar for debut-starring films.
As it nears the ₹300 crore mark, Saiyaara stands as a clear sign that fresh stories and new faces can find big success in Bollywood.
The TOI Entertainment Desk brings readers up-to-date news from the world of entertainment, covering everything from Bollywood to Hollywood. Follow for more updates on Saiyaara and what’s next in entertainment.
