Mumbai:
Mohit Suri’s much‑anticipated romantic musical drama Saiyaara (released July 18) has set the box office ablaze, raking in approximately Rs.20 crore on its opening day making it the highest Day 1 earning for a debutant‑led Bollywood film this year. The film scored nearly 50% nationwide occupancy on opening Friday, peaking at over 66% during night shows. With this performance, Saiyaara has already joined the ranks of 2025’s biggest openers, becoming the fourth highest after Chhaava, Sikandar, and Housefull 5.
Fans Stripping to Celebrate On‑Screen Songs
Theatre reaction when song played. #Saiyaraa
Heartfelt congratulations to team @yrf #AhaanPanday #AneetPadda#MohitSuri pic.twitter.com/2IWac1sJEb
— Rehan (@CinephileRehan) July 19, 2025
Scenes of unabashed fan energy have gone viral across social media: impassioned viewers were seen dancing shirtless at the front of cinemas during key songs. They shouted, sang along, and celebrated with abandon as tracks like Humsafar, Barbaad, and the title song echoed through auditoriums turning each musical sequence into a spontaneous concert experience.
Triumph for New Faces, Especially Ahaan Panday
Despite featuring fresh debutants Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, the film’s initial reception has been overwhelmingly positive. Audiences have praised Ahaan’s raw but confident screen presence and Aneet’s emotional depth leading to comparisons like “A star is born” on social media. Praise has also centered on their chemistry and Mohit Suri’s return to romantic storytelling under the Yash Raj Films banner.
Saiyaara marks a major win for Ahaan Panday Chunky Panday’s nephew and the cousin of Ananya Panday who has quickly earned attention as one of the most promising new talents of the year.
Behind the Scenes: Quiet Promotion and Viral Results
In an unconventional move, neither lead participated in promotional interviews. Instead, director Mohit Suri himself led the campaign, citing creative reasons and drawing parallels with promotional strategies used during Aashiqui 2. Industry commentators lauded the film’s organic marketing rooted in music and visual storytelling, calling it a refreshing departure from typical media-driven hype.
Also Read: INDIA vs ENGLAND: Should Team India Persist With Karun Nair?
Piracy Shadow: Early Threat Emerges
On the downside, Saiyaara was reportedly leaked on piracy platforms like Filmyzilla and Movierulz on day one raising concerns in the industry over unauthorized sharing and its potential impact on box office longevity.
Final Thoughts
Plot & Production:
A musical romantic drama, Saiyaara follows the story of Krish Kapoor (Ahaan Panday), an aspiring singer, and Vaani Batra (Aneet Padda), a budding songwriter navigating love, betrayal, and creative ambition under Mohit Suri’s direction and Yash Raj Films’ production.
Key Highlights
| Detail | Note |
|---|---|
| Box Office | Rs.20 crore opening day, forecasts Rs.70–80 crore weekend net |
| Fan Engagement | Viral shirtless dancing during songs in theatres |
| Critical Response | Generally positive; music and debut performances widely praised, with ratings ranging from 3–4/5 across outlets |
In sum, Saiyaara has emerged as a musical phenomenon its soundtrack igniting live audience participation, chart‑topping box office numbers, and the successful launch of two new leads. If momentum continues, the film may well shape up as one of 2025’s biggest romantic successes.
