New Delhi, July 29, 2025 — Mohit Suri’s romantic drama Saiyaara, starring debutants Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, has achieved a historic milestone by becoming the highest-grossing love story in Indian cinema, amassing over 400 crore (approximately $48 million USD) at the global box office within just 11 days of its release on July 18, 2025. The film has shattered expectations, outperforming major star-driven blockbusters and setting a new benchmark for films led by newcomers.
According to industry tracker Sacnilk, Saiyaara has grossed 306 crore in India (net collection of approximately 260 crore) and an additional 94 crore ($11 million USD) in overseas markets, with strong performances in the UK, Gulf region, and Australia. The film’s global gross, reported to have crossed 400 crore, has surpassed the lifetime collections of previous romantic epics like Kabir Singh (379 crore), Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (319 crore), and Chennai Express (396 crore), cementing its place as the top-grossing romantic film in Indian cinema history.
Directed by Mohit Suri, known for hits like Aashiqui 2 and Ek Villain, Saiyaara tells the poignant story of Krish Kapoor (Ahaan Panday), an aspiring musician, and Vaani Batra (Aneet Padda), a shy lyricist navigating love, loss, and personal struggles. The film’s emotional depth, coupled with a soulful soundtrack featuring contributions from composers like Mithoon, Tanishk Bagchi, and Sachet-Parampara, has resonated strongly with audiences, particularly Gen Z viewers. Critics have praised the debutants’ performances, with Panday’s raw intensity and Padda’s nuanced portrayal earning widespread acclaim.
The film’s box office journey has been nothing short of phenomenal. It opened with 21.5 crore on its first day, followed by a record-breaking 83 crore opening weekend, the highest ever for a romantic film in India. By day 11, Saiyaara had crossed 250 crore in India alone, overtaking major 2025 releases like Akshay Kumar’s Housefull 5 (198 crore), Aamir Khan’s Sitaare Zameen Par (165 crore), and Shah Rukh Khan’s Dunki (227 crore). It currently ranks as the second-highest-grossing Hindi film of 2025, trailing only Vicky Kaushal’s Chhaava (600 crore).
Internationally, Saiyaara has emerged as the highest-grossing Hindi film in the UK for the 2024-2025 period, with earnings of $8.9 million in its first 10 days. In the Gulf region, it has collected nearly $3 million, closing in on Salman Khan’s Sikandar record of $3.4 million. The film’s success in Nepal, where it grossed NPR 6.62 crore (approximately 4.14 crore), has also made it the highest-grossing Indian film in the territory for 2025, surpassing Housefull 5 and Sitaare Zameen Par.
Trade analysts attribute Saiyaara’s success to its universal themes of love and heartbreak, bolstered by Suri’s signature storytelling and a powerful soundtrack that has dominated social media. “This is a rare instance where a film with debutants has outperformed expectations on such a massive scale,” said film trade analyst Taran Adarsh. “The increase in screen count from 2,225 to 3,650 across India reflects the overwhelming public demand.”
Backed by Yash Raj Films and produced by YRF CEO Akshaye Widhani, Saiyaara has also drawn praise from industry heavyweights like Anil Kapoor, Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt, and Karan Johar, who lauded the fresh chemistry of the lead pair and Suri’s direction. Aamir Khan Productions congratulated the team, noting, “Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda shine with grace and depth, and Mohit Suri brings his signature intensity to this heartfelt story.”
Despite a slight dip in collections on its second Monday (9.5 crore), the film has maintained double-digit earnings for most of its run and is expected to continue its strong performance with minimal competition until the release of Son of Sardaar 2 and Dhadak 2 on August 1. Analysts predict Saiyaara could approach the 500 crore mark globally if it sustains its momentum.
Saiyaara’s unprecedented success signals a revival of the romantic genre in Indian cinema, proving that compelling storytelling and fresh talent can rival even the biggest star-driven franchises. As it continues its theatrical run, the film is poised to redefine box office records and cement Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda as Bollywood’s newest sensations.
