Ahaan Panday’s debut film, Mohit Suri’s musical romance Saiyaara, is already making waves with an impressive Rs 4.41 crore in advance bookings, aiming for a rare double-digit opening for a newcomer film.
A Blockbuster Start for a Debut
Saiyaara, starring Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda in their first major roles, is off to an excellent start at the domestic box office. The advance booking figures suggest strong pre-release buzz and public interest.
As per Sacnilk, the film has secured Rs 4.41 crore in advance bookings for its opening day, including a significant Rs 1.8 crore from block bookings. Over 50,000 tickets have already been sold, with expectations to cross 150,000 before release.
Breaking New Ground for Newcomers
This strong advance booking positions Saiyaara for a commendable double-digit opening, a rare feat for a film introducing new talent in the post-pandemic era. This highlights the film’s potential to defy industry trends.
Mohit Suri’s last directorial, *Ek Villain Returns*, opened at Rs 7.05 crore despite starring established names like John Abraham and Arjun Kapoor. Even *Malang* (2020), with a star-studded cast, debuted lower at Rs 6.71 crore.
Suri’s last film to achieve a double-digit opening was *Half Girlfriend* in 2017, earning Rs 10.3 crore. Saiyaara is already outperforming his 2015 release, *Hamari Adhuri Kahani*, which opened at Rs 4.95 crore.
Even Suri’s successful 2013 musical romance, *Aashiqui 2*, which featured relatively new faces like Shraddha Kapoor and Aditya Roy Kapur (who had prior film experience), opened at Rs 6.1 crore. Saiyaara’s early numbers suggest it’s on track to surpass these figures, a significant achievement for two absolute debutants.
Introducing the Fresh Faces
Ahaan Panday marks his full-fledged debut with Saiyaara. He comes from a film family, being the cousin of Ananya Panday and nephew of Chunky Panday, but this is his first major cinematic venture.
Aneet Padda, the leading lady, has already garnered acclaim for her performance in the Prime Video India series *Big Girls Don’t Cry*, released last year.
A New Chapter for Mohit Suri
Saiyaara also signifies Mohit Suri’s first collaboration with Yash Raj Films, a production house known for its distinct approach to romantic cinema. The film’s music has already resonated well with audiences, becoming a popular earworm.
The Road Ahead
As Saiyaara hits cinemas this Friday, it will face competition from other new releases like Anupam Kher’s *Tanvi The Great* and Kussh Sinha’s *Nikita Roy*. It will also compete with ongoing Hollywood releases such as *F1*, *Jurassic World Rebirth*, and James Gunn’s *Superman*.
- Saiyaara has earned Rs 4.41 crore in advance bookings.
- It aims for a rare double-digit opening, especially for a film with newcomers.
- This marks Ahaan Panday’s debut and Mohit Suri’s first film with Yash Raj Films.
- The film’s music has already become a popular hit.
All eyes are now on the full box office collection as Saiyaara looks to cement its position and potentially set new benchmarks for debut films.
