Mumbai, July 19, 2025 – Yash Raj Films’ romantic musical drama Saiyaara, directed by Mohit Suri and starring debutants Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, has taken the Indian box office by storm, grossing an estimated ₹21.75 crore nett on its opening day, July 18, 2025. The film, which arrived with minimal pre-release publicity and no major star power, has emerged as one of the biggest openers of 2025, securing the fourth spot among Bollywood releases this year, trailing only Chhaava (₹31 crore), Sikandar (₹26 crore), and Housefull 5 (₹24 crore).
Saiyaara has shattered industry expectations, achieving a historic feat for a debutant-led film. According to industry tracker Sacnilk, the movie recorded an overall Hindi occupancy of 49.90% on its opening day, with night shows peaking at 66.62%, reflecting strong audience turnout across metros, tier-2, and tier-3 cities. Remarkably, the film has outperformed major releases in several regions, including sold-out shows in Chennai, a market traditionally less receptive to Bollywood films without established stars.
The film’s success is attributed to its emotionally resonant storytelling, Mohit Suri’s signature direction, and a soulful soundtrack composed by Tanishk Bagchi, Mithoon, Vishal Mishra, and others, which has struck a chord with audiences, evoking nostalgia reminiscent of Suri’s earlier hits like Aashiqui 2. Advance bookings were equally impressive, with Saiyaara securing ₹9.40 crore in pre-sales, the third-highest for a Bollywood film in 2025, surpassed only by Chhaava (₹13.80 crore) and Sikandar (₹10.10 crore). The film sold approximately 380,000 tickets nationwide, marking one of the largest pre-sale figures for a debutant-led Indian film.
Featuring Ahaan Panday as Krish Kapoor, an aspiring musician, and Aneet Padda as Vaani Batra, a gifted songwriter, Saiyaara tells a heartfelt story of love, heartbreak, and ambition set against the backdrop of the music industry. The chemistry between the leads, combined with strong supporting performances from actors like Alam Khan and Rajesh Kumar, has been widely praised by audiences and critics alike. Posts on X reflect the overwhelming sentiment, with fans lauding the film’s mesmerizing narrative and calling it a return to classic Bollywood cinema.
“This is a defining moment for Yash Raj Films and for newcomers in Bollywood,” noted trade analyst Taran Adarsh on X. “With no franchise power, no A-listers, and no festival release, Saiyaara has created history as the biggest opener ever for a film headlined by newcomers.” Industry insiders also credit the film’s success to its raw talent and fearless storytelling, with filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar stating, “Saiyaara has shattered every myth about launching newcomers.”
Despite facing competition from ongoing releases like Sitaare Zameen Par, Maalik, Metro In Dino, and Hollywood titles such as Superman and Jurassic World Rebirth, Saiyaara has dominated ticket windows, even with only 8,000 screenings nationwide—significantly fewer than the typical 18,000 for major releases. Early estimates suggest the film could cross ₹80 crore by the end of its opening weekend if positive word-of-mouth continues to drive footfalls.
Produced by YRF’s Akshaye Widhani on a reported budget of ₹60 crore, Saiyaara has also secured a post-theatrical streaming deal with Netflix, though an OTT release date is yet to be announced. The film’s performance signals a revival for YRF, which has struggled to deliver major hits outside its Spy Universe franchise in recent years.
As Saiyaara continues its theatrical run, all eyes are on its second day to see if it can sustain its momentum and cement its status as a sleeper hit of 2025. With its universal appeal, compelling performances, and a soundtrack that’s already a chartbuster, the film is poised to redefine the potential of newcomer-led projects in Indian cinema.
