Mohit Suri’s romantic drama “Saiyaara,” starring newcomers Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, has shattered box office expectations, crossing the Rs 100 crore mark in just five days and challenging films by industry titans.
Saiyaara’s Staggering Box Office Run
The film, which opened to a massive Rs 21.5 crore on its first day, has maintained incredible momentum. After a strong Saturday of Rs 26 crore, “Saiyaara” saw a significant jump on Sunday, pulling in Rs 35.75 crore.
Even on its first Monday, the film held strong, collecting Rs 24 crore. Remarkably, “Saiyaara” showed a slight growth on its fifth day, Tuesday, earning an impressive Rs 25 crore.
This consistent performance has pushed the film’s total domestic collection to a staggering Rs 132.25 crore in just five days, solidifying its position as a major box office success.
Outperforming Bollywood’s Biggest Stars
“Saiyaara” has not only entered the exclusive Rs 100 crore club, a rare feat for a film with debutant leads, but it has also surpassed established blockbusters. It has officially overtaken Salman Khan and Rashmika Mandanna’s “Sikandar,” which had a lifetime collection of Rs 129.95 crore.
The film is now setting its sights on Akshay Kumar’s “Sky Force,” which earned Rs 134.93 crore, a milestone it’s expected to cross very soon. Looking further, “Saiyaara” is eyeing other big releases of the year, including Aamir Khan’s “Sitaare Zameen Par” (Rs 164.74 crore), Ajay Devgn’s “Raid 2” (Rs 179.30 crore), and Akshay Kumar’s “Housefull 5” (Rs 198.41 crore).
A Historic Debut for New Talent
“Saiyaara” has set a new benchmark for films featuring newcomers. Its opening weekend collection of Rs 84 crore in India and a worldwide gross of Rs 119 crore (as stated by Yash Raj Films) marks the highest opening for a romantic film ever.
This impressive performance means Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda’s debut has surpassed the lifetime earnings of other notable star kid debuts. Films like Alia Bhatt and Varun Dhawan’s “Student of the Year” (Rs 70 crore) and Jahnvi Kapoor and Ishaan Khattar’s “Dhadak” (Rs 73 crore) now stand behind “Saiyaara”‘s initial run.
Director Mohit Suri also celebrates his highest opening with “Saiyaara,” eclipsing his previous hits like “Ek Villain” and “Aashiqui 2.” This success underscores the film’s broad appeal and strong word-of-mouth.
The Strategy Behind the Smash Hit
Adding to its unique success story, Yash Raj Films implemented an unconventional strategy for “Saiyaara.” The production house chose not to increase ticket prices, aiming to keep the film accessible, especially for its target youth audience.
Furthermore, the lead actors, Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, were intentionally kept away from active promotional duties. This hands-off approach seemingly allowed the film’s content to speak for itself, driving its organic rise to the top.
- “Saiyaara” earned Rs 132.25 crore in its first five days.
- It surpassed Salman Khan’s “Sikandar” in total collections.
- The film marks the biggest opening for newcomers in Bollywood history.
- Yash Raj Films kept ticket prices affordable and opted for minimal actor promotions.
As “Saiyaara” continues its dream run, it proves that compelling storytelling and fresh faces can indeed challenge and even outshine established stars at the box office.
