Saiyaara, the upcoming romantic drama directed by Mohit Suri and starring newcomers Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, is turning heads across the industry. With just hours to go before its release on July 18, the film has already generated unprecedented buzz—and, oddly enough, it may be on track to break long-standing debut records set by films like Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai and Dhadak.
Double-Digit Opening Predicted for Debut Film
Believe it or not, Saiyaara is currently tracking for a ₹10 crore-plus opening day at the domestic box office. Advance bookings have already surpassed ₹2.6 crore, and that number is rising fast. Some trade watchers suggest the film might rake in over ₹15 crore on day one—an astonishing figure for a film led by two unknown actors.
To put this in perspective, Aamir Khan’s Laal Singh Chaddha spinoff Sitaare Zameen Par opened to ₹11.50 crore, and he’s one of Bollywood’s most bankable stars. Saiyaara doing better? That’s not something people saw coming.
How Saiyaara Compares to Dhadak and Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai
The current record-holder for highest opening day by a debut-led Hindi film is Dhadak, which earned ₹8.76 crore in 2018. If estimates hold, Saiyaara will cruise past that number before Friday ends.
What’s even more surprising is the mention of Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai. Released in 2000, that film pulled in ₹51 lakh but sold around 4 lakh tickets—something no debutant film has matched since. With over 1 lakh tickets already sold for Saiyaara‘s debut day, insiders believe footfalls could hit 4-6 lakh, which would be a new milestone in Bollywood history.
Timeline of Events
- Early July: Teaser and trailers sparked some curiosity—but nothing suggesting a record breaker.
- July 15: Advance bookings started seeing real traction. The ₹2.6 crore mark crossed with over half a day still left.
- Now: Industry experts are buzzing, with divided expectations ranging from impressive to history-making.
- 18 July: All eyes on Friday’s day-one numbers.
Official Statements from the Trade
Trade analyst Atul Mohan shared a grounded perspective, saying,
“There is hype, for sure. The trailer was good, and the (title) song has impressed the audience. But the hype defies logic. There are shows in Agra that are housefull. But at the same time, some theatres in Andheri have not sold a single ticket.”
He added a heartfelt note on what this all means for the industry: “As industry people, we want films to work and people to come to the theatres.”
Another exhibitor, choosing not to be named, noted, “Everyone loves an underdog story. Hence, a lot of reporting has been exaggerated. Still, the film is likely to open well. Just how well that will be can only be seen on Friday.”
Community Response
Social media tells part of that story. Young audiences in particular seem drawn in by the film’s music and color palette. Whether it’s the dreamy title track or the moody visuals in the promos, Gen Z viewers under 30 are especially engaged. They’re talking about it on messaging apps, queuing up tickets even in smaller cities like Agra, Jaipur, and Nashik.
The divide, though, is real. In pockets like suburban Mumbai, response remains tepid. Certain shows in large multiplexes remain largely unsold, suggesting that the hype isn’t uniformly spread.
Why This Makes No Sense—And Why It Might Make All the Sense
This is where it gets a bit messy. The metrics scream contradiction. Huge numbers in unexpected places. Weak bookings in traditional markets. Theories abound. Some say it’s clever grassroots marketing. Others suspect calculated misreporting inflating the overall buzz. Or maybe it’s just a fluke? It’s hard to tell from the outside.
There’s something undeniably compelling about that uncertainty. The debutants, the director back in his romantic groove, the stamp of YRF—all baked in equal parts surprise and skepticism.
Why It Still Feels Real
- Solid music track gaining real-time streams.
- Strong recall for the trailer—especially among female and Gen Z audiences.
- Positive chatter about the director’s return after years.
- Good timing: not too close to a holiday, but not against any box office giants either.
What’s Next?
Saiyaara opens across India on July 18. Within the first 24 hours, we’ll know which prediction panned out. Whether it’s that conservative ₹10 crore number or the more ambitious ₹20 crore, it’ll make waves either way.
Directed by Mohit Suri and produced by Akshaye Widhani of Yash Raj Films, this romantic drama seems poised to shake things up—for better or worse. The film’s fate will shape how studios approach projects with new talent going forward. It may even kick off a new wave of young romantic stories… or it may not. Either way, it’s got everyone watching.
If you’re among those wondering if this is all smoke or something real, you’re not alone. We’re all trying to make sense of it. Friday has a way of answering most questions in Bollywood. Let’s wait and see what kind of story Saiyaara ends up telling—not just on screen, but in the box office reports too.
