Mohit Suri’s highly anticipated romantic-musical, “Saiyaara,” has hit screens, generating immense buzz and glowing first reactions for its lead actors and unique promotional strategy.
Early Praise for Debuts and Direction
The film, showing across 1,750 screens in India, has captivated audiences and industry insiders alike. Singer Palak Muchhal was among the first to share her thoughts after a special screening, describing “Saiyaara” as a profound journey of emotion and connection.
Muchhal highly praised Mohit Suri’s direction. She called Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda “the most brilliant debutants I’ve ever seen,” highlighting their raw and powerful performances.
Industry Applauds Organic Marketing
Beyond its content, “Saiyaara” is earning admiration for its refreshingly organic marketing approach. In an era often dominated by heavy PR and influencer campaigns, the film opted for a minimal, music-driven strategy.
Filmmaker Kunal Kohli lauded this decision on X, stating, “No interviews. No reels. Just a kickass trailer & good music. Huge opening on the cards. This is the way to do it.” He emphasized that good music and trailers are the true promotion, not “rubbish interviews & silly reels.”
Director Anubhav Sinha also showed strong support, highlighting society’s need for love stories. He praised Mohit Suri’s track record with romantic hits and encouraged viewers to support the new actors.
Hansal Mehta and writer-lyricist Varun Grover joined in, with Grover noting that a “good, original romantic album and solid marketing with every song having a video push is still the best strategy.”
Director’s Magic and Star Support
“Animal” director Sandeep Reddy Vanga previously expressed his excitement for the film after its trailer release. He called it a “Hindi heartland love story completely emphasizing on romance and drama,” attributing its allure to “Mohit Suri’s magic.”
Ahaan Panday’s sister, actress Ananya Panday, shared her pride on Instagram, expressing her long-standing obsession with her brother and eagerness for the world to feel the same.
Both debutants, Ahaan and Aneet, shared heartfelt notes, thanking Mohit Suri and producer Aditya Chopra for the opportunity and guidance.
Box Office Anticipation Soars
The film’s pre-release buzz is translating into impressive numbers. Industry tracker Sacnilk reported an extraordinary ₹12.49 crore in advance bookings for Day 1, a remarkable feat for a movie introducing new faces.
These figures suggest “Saiyaara” could even surpass the opening day collection of “Aashiqui 2,” another successful Suri-Mithoon collaboration. Trade analysts are drawing comparisons to “Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai,” which famously launched Hrithik Roshan’s career.
Much credit for this anticipation goes to Yash Raj Films’ strategic decision to protect the lead pair’s novelty by avoiding overexposure and digital gimmicks. All eyes are now on how this unique approach unfolds at the box office.
- “Saiyaara” is a romantic-musical directed by Mohit Suri, starring debutants Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda.
- Initial reactions praise the lead actors’ “raw” performances and Suri’s direction.
- The film’s marketing strategy, focusing on music and avoiding excessive interviews or reels, has been widely lauded by industry figures.
- “Saiyaara” achieved impressive advance bookings, hinting at a strong box office opening, comparable to past blockbusters that launched new stars.
As the film settles into its theatrical run, its unique blend of heartfelt storytelling and a fresh marketing approach could set a new trend in the industry.
