Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda’s debut film, Saiyaara, has shattered box office expectations, raking in an impressive Rs 20 crore on its opening day.
A Box Office Surprise
Debuts in Bollywood can be unpredictable, even for those with industry connections. However, Yash Raj Studios and director Mohit Suri seem to have hit the jackpot with their latest release, Saiyaara.
Starring newcomers Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, the film defied all predictions. According to industry tracker Sacnilk, Saiyaara earned a massive Rs 20 crore on its very first day in theaters.
This stellar performance positions Saiyaara as the fourth biggest opener of the year. It follows closely behind Chhaava (Rs 31 cr), Sikandar (Rs 26 cr), and Housefull 5 (Rs 24 cr).
Despite decent reviews and promising advance bookings, no one anticipated such an explosive start for the film. Aneet Padda has some prior acting experience, but this marked Ahaan Panday’s major big-screen debut, making the numbers even more remarkable.
Packed Houses Across India
Saiyaara’s opening day success wasn’t just about big numbers; it was also about impressive audience turnout. The film had over 7000 shows nationwide on its release day.
Occupancy rates remained consistently strong throughout the day, averaging out at a solid 49.9 percent. Morning shows began with 35.51 percent, which steadily climbed to 46.62 percent for afternoon screenings.
The evenings and nights saw even higher engagement, with occupancy rates reaching 50.85 percent and a remarkable 66.62 percent respectively. Key regions like Delhi-NCR reported over 800 shows with approximately 60 percent occupancy, while Mumbai saw around 650 shows with 43 percent occupancy.
Outpacing Established Stars
Saiyaara’s Day 1 collection stands out when compared to other notable debuts and recent releases from established stars. Ahaan Panday’s performance at the box office has surpassed many.
For instance, Tiger Shroff’s debut film, Heropanti, collected Rs 6.55 crore on its opening day in 2014. His cousin, Ananya Panday, saw her Dharma Productions film, Student Of The Year 2, open with Rs 12.06 crore.
Even seasoned actors like Ajay Devgn and Aamir Khan, who had successful films in 2025, didn’t achieve such high opening figures. Ajay Devgn’s Raid 2 earned Rs 19.25 crore on its first day, while Aamir Khan’s Sitaare Zameen Par collected Rs 10.7 crore. Akshay Kumar’s Sky Force, also featuring a newcomer, opened at Rs 12.25 crore.
These comparisons highlight Saiyaara’s exceptional start, suggesting Mohit Suri might have another blockbuster on his hands.
- Saiyaara earned Rs 20 crore on its opening day, defying industry expectations.
- It is the fourth biggest Bollywood opener of the year.
- The film’s debut numbers surpassed those of other star kids and recent films by established actors.
- Occupancy rates were strong, averaging nearly 50% nationwide.
This impressive performance paints a very optimistic picture for Yash Raj Studios, director Mohit Suri, and particularly for the careers of Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda. With such a strong headstart, the team will be aiming to maintain this incredible momentum throughout the crucial first weekend and beyond.
