The upcoming musical, Saiyaara, has generated a lot of buzz in the industry. Directed by Mohit Suri, the film features newcomers Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda in the lead roles. Backed by Yash Raj Films, this romantic movie is now tracking to make a significant opening at the box office, and early predictions suggest that it could earn ₹10+ crore on its opening day. According to trade experts, these projections are astounding and have raised many eyebrows in the film industry.
The anticipation for Saiyaara has been growing rapidly, especially after its pre-sales and advance bookings. Early indications show that the film is expected to make an impressive debut. The advance booking numbers have already crossed ₹2.6 crore, and the film has more than 12 hours left for pre-sale bookings. This is quite significant, especially for a film featuring debutants in the lead roles. This has surprised many in the trade, given the film’s nature and the new faces it features.
Box Office Prediction for Saiyaara
As per the latest reports, Saiyaara is tracking to earn a double-digit opening with over ₹10 crore on its first day of release. Some conservative estimates predict the film will gross ₹10-12 crore on day 1, while more liberal estimates are going as high as ₹15-20 crore. These numbers are impressive for a romantic film, especially one featuring newcomers in the lead roles. Trade experts are finding it difficult to believe these figures. For comparison, even Aamir Khan’s film Sitaare Zameen Par managed only ₹11.50 crore on its opening day just a month ago.
If these projections hold true, Saiyaara would break several records. It would surpass the previous highest opening-day collection for a debutant-led film, which currently belongs to Dhadak (2018), starring Janhvi Kapoor and Ishaan Khatter. The film had earned ₹8.76 crore on its opening day. If Saiyaara hits ₹15-20 crore on day 1, it may even break an all-time footfall record for a debutant-led film, a record that has remained unbroken for 25 years.
Breaking All-Time Box Office Records
If the ₹15-20 crore prediction is accurate, Saiyaara will not only break the record for the highest opening-day collection for a film with debutants but also set a new benchmark for opening-day footfalls. According to trade insiders, this would be an impressive achievement for a romantic film starring fresh faces. The record for the highest opening day for a debutant-led film has been set by Hrithik Roshan’s Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai in 2000, which opened to ₹51 lakh, selling around 4 lakh tickets on the first day. Since then, no debutant-led film has managed to surpass these numbers.
However, Saiyaara has already sold 1 lakh tickets for its opening day in advance bookings. Experts predict that it could see around 4-6 lakh footfalls on day 1, which would set a new record for a Bollywood release. The film’s advance ticket sales have been impressive, further adding to the growing anticipation.
Trade’s Perspective on Saiyaara’s Box Office Potential
The romantic genre in Hindi cinema has not been very successful since the pandemic. The only romantic drama to have performed exceptionally well in recent times is Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahani, but that film was backed by the power of Dharma Productions and featured established stars like Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt. Saiyaara does have the backing of Yash Raj Films (YRF), one of Bollywood’s biggest production houses. However, both Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda are new to the industry, and this has led some trade analysts to question the reasons behind the film’s growing popularity.
Atul Mohan, a senior trade analyst, commented, “There is hype, for sure. The trailer was well received, and the title song has impressed the audience. However, this level of excitement defies logic. There are shows in Agra that are already housefull, but some theaters in Andheri haven’t sold a single ticket yet. Still, I hope the hype reaches all areas soon. As people from the industry, we want films to succeed and want audiences to flock to theaters.”
Some industry insiders believe that while there is organic hype for Saiyaara, it has been somewhat exaggerated due to misreporting. “People love an underdog story, so there’s been some inflated reporting about the film. But regardless, Saiyaara is expected to have a strong opening. The real question is just how well it will perform,” stated an exhibitor who requested anonymity.
The Young Audience is Driving the Craze
Many trade experts have pointed out that the film’s buzz exists primarily among younger audiences, particularly those under 30. This demographic seems to be particularly excited about the fresh faces of Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, as well as the musical elements of the film. The younger generation’s enthusiasm could play a significant role in the film’s success, making it particularly appealing to those who enjoy new talent and romantic dramas.
Saiyaara’s Music and Marketing Strategy
A significant factor behind the growing buzz for Saiyaara is its music. The film has already seen great success with its songs, and the title track has been a favorite among music lovers. The film’s promotional campaign has also been strategically crafted to build anticipation, and the presence of Yash Raj Films (YRF) as the producer has added credibility to the project. The film’s marketing has focused on connecting with the youth, using social media platforms to spread the word and engage with the target audience.
Director Mohit Suri’s Return to the Romantic Genre
Saiyaara marks Mohit Suri’s return to the romantic genre, a space he previously mastered with hits like Aashiqui 2 and Ek Villain. His experience in crafting intense romantic stories has added an additional layer of excitement to the film. The director’s fan following, along with his ability to tell engaging love stories, has contributed to the growing expectations surrounding the movie’s release.
The Final Word: What Lies Ahead for Saiyaara
As the film gets closer to its release on July 18, 2025, there is considerable excitement in the air. The early predictions for Saiyaara have already raised expectations, and trade analysts are curious to see if the film will live up to its buzz. The final verdict on its box office performance will only be known after the opening day, but the growing anticipation suggests that it may become one of the surprise hits of the year.
The film’s success could also pave the way for more films featuring debutants in lead roles to be accepted by audiences. If Saiyaara breaks records and performs well, it would prove that fresh talent and the right promotional strategy can still work wonders at the box office, even in a post-pandemic era.
For now, fans and industry insiders alike are eagerly awaiting the release of Saiyaara, which is set to hit theaters this weekend. Whether it breaks records or not, it certainly promises to be a highly entertaining experience for Bollywood audiences.
