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OPINION: How Saiyaara became a box office hurricane?
Saiyaara's advance bookings are going through the roof. Here's explaining how the Mohit Suri directorial has already become a box office hurricane, from the perspective of a film exhibitor.
The staggering advance bookings for Saiyaara have taken the industry by surprise—but perhaps they shouldn't have. Bollywood, for years now, has gradually moved away from the emotionally charged romantic dramas that once ruled its box office. In their place, we saw a wave of content-driven cinema, spectacle-heavy actioners, or comedies designed for OTT. But the phenomenal pre-release buzz around Saiyaara makes one thing clear: young audiences are craving a genre the industry sidelined—the intense romantic drama.
This isn’t just a flash in the pan. The signs were already there, hidden in the data and the audience reactions. Consider the unexpected re-release success of Sanam Teri Kasam, which went on to do three to four times its original business—a rare feat that shows how hunger for deep, heartfelt love stories hasn’t died, just been underfed. Similarly, films like Rockstar, Laila Majnu, and even Veer-Zaara continue to find resonance long after their initial release. These stories speak to an emotional intensity and sincerity that seem in short supply in modern mainstream cinema.
Mohit Suri, Soulful Music, and Raw Storytelling Power Saiyaara’s Hype
This is where Saiyaara steps in, a film that taps directly into this cultural and emotional gap. It is no coincidence that the director at the helm is Mohit Suri, a name synonymous with passionate love stories that often end in heartbreak but leave a lasting impression. Suri’s filmography is studded with romantic tragedies that shaped the last decade’s emotional landscape—from the musical hit Aashiqui 2 to the thrilling Ek Villain, the underrated Half Girlfriend, and the cult classic Awarapan. Each of these films married strong emotional cores with haunting music—an element Saiyaara also seems to have nailed.
Indeed, the music of Saiyaara is one of its strongest weapons. In a time when songs often become background noise or marketing tools, Saiyaara’s soundtrack hits differently. It’s the kind of music that nestles into your memory, lyrics that stay with you, and melodies that stir long-forgotten emotions. It's no surprise that several of its tracks are already topping streaming charts, even before the film's official release.
Then, there’s the backing of a studio that knows romance better than most—Yash Raj Films. YRF has long been associated with Bollywood’s most iconic love stories, from Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge to Veer-Zaara and Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi. Their stamp not only ensures a certain quality of production but also lends the film legitimacy in the eyes of romantics everywhere.
Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda Bring Gen Z Romance to the Big Screen
The casting too has sparked interest and affection. Ahaan Panday, who went viral after videos of his family sangeet performance circulated online, has a raw, unpolished charm that today’s audiences find relatable. He isn’t the over-groomed debutant of yesteryear—his appeal lies in his vulnerability and intensity. Paired opposite him is Aneet Padda, a fresh face with a natural screen presence and the kind of instant likability that makes a romantic drama work. Together, their chemistry has struck a chord, especially with Gen Z and young millennials who crave emotional authenticity over star power.
This fresh pairing is also a strong reminder that the audience is yearning for younger stars to lead the charge in intense romantic dramas. In an era where many mainstream actors come with preconceived images, brand endorsements, and carefully curated personas, debutants like Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda offer something refreshingly unfiltered. Their lack of image baggage allows the audience to fully immerse themselves in the characters and story, making the emotional journey feel more authentic. There’s a certain rawness and sincerity that newcomers bring, which resonates deeply with younger viewers who seek relatability over stardom.
And then there’s the trailer. In just a few minutes, it conveys everything the genre stands for—pain, passion, longing, and emotional stakes. It's not just visually stylish but emotionally loaded, making it one of the most talked-about trailers in recent memory.
Saiyaara’s Box Office Success Signals a Shift in Bollywood Trends
All these factors—director, music, banner, casting, trailer—have come together in a perfect storm to create Saiyaara’s pre-release frenzy. But what truly elevates this moment is how it reflects a larger shift in the audience’s taste. For a film with debutants and a director some had prematurely written off, to take the second-best opening of the year (trailing only behind Chhaava) is remarkable. And while Chhaava was driven predominantly by regional support in Maharashtra, Saiyaara is showing consistent numbers across India—from metros to Tier 2 cities—demonstrating its universal emotional appeal.
This is more than just a successful film launch. It’s a statement. It tells Bollywood that the youth aren’t just interested in spectacle and social realism. They want to feel. They want romance—not the breezy, superficial kind, but the kind that hurts a little, that leaves a mark. In chasing the next big trend, the industry may have overlooked its most timeless genre. Saiyaara is a reminder that stories of love, loss, and longing still have a powerful place on the big screen.
In a box office landscape increasingly driven by unpredictability, Saiyaara offers clarity. It underscores the importance of emotional connection, storytelling with soul, and the timeless appeal of love stories told with heart. It’s a wake-up call for Bollywood: the audience is speaking, and they want their romance back.
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