In a year filled with high-profile films and star-driven spectacles, one modestly promoted love story has shaken up the Hindi film industry in the most unexpected way. Mohit Suri’s Saiyaara, produced by Yash Raj Films, released on 18 July 2025 with no red carpets, no celeb endorsements, and no media blitz. Yet, it has opened to ₹21.25 crore net on Day 1, becoming the biggest debut ever for a film headlined by new actors. It’s a box office story that has taken Bollywood by complete surprise — and may well redefine how the industry views film marketing.
A Film Nobody Was Talking About — Until Everyone Was
Saiyaara stars Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, both fresh faces with no previous theatrical exposure. Directed by Mohit Suri, known for his emotional musical dramas like Aashiqui 2 and Ek Villain, the film quietly completed production under YRF’s banner but remained conspicuously absent from the public eye.
As per Media Reports there was no big trailer launch event, no music concert, no city tour. No late-night interviews, Instagram lives, or dance reality show appearances. Even trade insiders were puzzled by the muted rollout. The only person doing any form of pre-release interaction was Mohit Suri himself — engaging with a handful of media houses to talk about the film’s tone and music. Notably, the film didn’t host a single celebrity screening, nor was there any preview for the press, politicians, or influencers.
This low-profile strategy defied the Bollywood playbook — which usually relies heavily on pre-release saturation. But Saiyaara was quietly building momentum elsewhere.
Advance Bookings Spark a Frenzy
Then came a turning point on July 16, advance bookings quietly opened at top chains like PVR, INOX, and Cinepolis. At first, the response was average. But by the morning of July 17, something shifted — the music began trending, social media chatter picked up, and pre-release interest spiked.
By the evening, the film had already sold around 90,000 tickets across national chains, and by midnight, it had clocked a staggering 3.8 lakh tickets sold across India, according to Sacnilk. The Day 1 advance booking gross stood at ₹9.39 crore — a jaw-dropping number for a film without big stars, especially one with just 1,750 screens and approximately 8,000 shows.
What made this even more astonishing was the per-screen performance. Compared to big-ticket films which occupy 4,000+ screens and 15,000+ shows, Saiyaara’s average occupancy and footfalls per show were significantly higher. Word spread fast across the trade — something remarkable was happening.
A Historic Opening Day
By the end of its first day in theatres, Saiyaara had collected ₹21.25 crore net, according to industry estimates. This makes it the fourth-highest opening day of 2025, Saiyaara now ranks as the fourth-highest opening of 2025, trailing only behind the big-ticket releases Chhaava (₹33.10 crore), Sikandar (₹27.50 crore), and Housefull 5 (₹24.35 crore). It has surpassed the Day 1 collections of several major films, including Raid 2 (₹19.71 crore), Sky Force (₹15.30 crore), Sitaare Zameen Par (₹10.70 crore), Kesari Chapter 2 (₹7.84 crore), and Bhool Chuk Maaf (₹7.20 crore).
YRF’s Quiet Confidence
So how did this happen? The answer may lie in a few key decisions — and a bit of daring. By keeping promotions minimal, YRF took a calculated creative risk. According to insiders, the idea was to let the film speak for itself and avoid the overexposure that often leads to unrealistic expectations. In a refreshing departure, the makers trusted the strength of the music, story, and emotional resonance to draw audiences in.
Director Mohit Suri, in his limited interviews, had hinted at this: “This is a story that needs to be felt, not hyped.”
And it worked. The soundtrack quietly gained traction in the weeks before release. Songs like “Saiyaara” and “Phir Na Milein” began topping playlists, and their melancholic-romantic tone echoed the director’s signature style. Audiences, especially younger viewers and couples, connected emotionally with the mood of the film — prompting them to show up in large numbers on opening day.
Reactions: Shock, Praise, and Reassessment
Though the critical reception to Saiyaara has been mixed to below average, with many reviewers pointing out its lack of originality and over-reliance on familiar Mohit Suri tropes. Shubhra Gupta of The Indian Express rated it 2 stars, calling it predictable and emotionally thin. Outlook India was far more scathing, awarding just 0.5 stars and dismissing it as a rudderless melodrama. Other major outlets like NDTV, India Today, and ABP Live offered middling 3-star reviews, praising the music and emotional tone but criticizing the weak narrative. Only a few platforms, like India Today, leaned slightly more positive with a 3.5 rating, citing its emotional connect with younger audiences. Overall, critics found Saiyaara watchable but far from impressive.
On the other hand, the film industry was abuzz with admiration for Saiyaara’s surprise success, with several filmmakers and insiders lauding its unconventional approach. Filmmaker Sanjay Gupta tweeted that the Saiyaara strategy was “genius,” calling it “a perfect example of belief in content over PR noise.” Film Director Kunal Kohli wrote on Social media, ‘ #Saiyaara is a BLOCKBUSTER #AdiChopra has done it again. Conviction of a producer to back a director. Films don’t need stars. Films create stars. #MohitSuri has made a brilliant film. Don’t miss this one guys. #AhaanPanday #AneetPadda instant stardom is yours. Now please don’t get entourages & mess it up. Be the change. Be the breath of fresh air you are.’ On social media, the mood was celebratory — especially from members of the Panday family, with Ananya Panday, Chunky Panday, and others hailing Ahaan’s performance. But even critics and senior analysts offered praise.
In a column for Hindustan Times, a film journalist wrote: “Saiyaara is a wake-up call for Bollywood. For far too long, we’ve equated visibility with viability. This film proves that emotion still sells — and perhaps more effectively without all the noise.”
What Happens Now?
The real test for Saiyaara lies ahead. While it has stunned the industry with a record-breaking opening, the question now is whether it can sustain momentum in the coming days. Audience word-of-mouth remains strong, and the film has a solid first-week runway. However, its hold will be challenged soon—Ajay Devgn’s big-ticket sequel Son of Sardaar 2 hits theatres on July 25, promising mass appeal and wide reach. With just a week to capitalise on its lead, Saiyaara will need more than buzz—it will need staying power.
A Game-Changer in Disguise
In an era when Bollywood is struggling with the unpredictability of theatrical outcomes, Saiyaara has delivered a jolt of fresh energy. It’s not just a win for debutants Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda. It’s a victory for restraint, emotion, and content-driven storytelling.
Whether this marks a permanent shift or remains a one-off case remains to be seen. But for now, Saiyaara is the box office story no one can ignore — a small film that made the loudest noise by staying silent.
