The Saiyaara phenomenon continues to grow. The worldwide haul surpassed the monumental Rs 500 crore mark, and the film, starring newcomers, Ahaan Pandey and Aneet Padda, has hit Rs 304.6 on its home turf. It has also overtaken none other than Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s 2018 epic Padmaavat, a film that featured the p trio Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone, and Shahid Kapoor — which earned ₹302.15 crore domestically.
Tuesday saw Saiyaara inch up with Rs Rs .5 crore in collections, slightly better than Monday’s Rs 2.35 crore, showing the film’s remarkable staying power. Next up in its sights is Kabir Khan’s blockbuster Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015), which it is poised to surpass by the weekend, cementing Saiyaara’s status as a box office titan.
So, what’s the reason behind Saiyaara’s success?
The magic touch of Mohit Suri
When Mohit Suri directs, you know it’s going to be emotional rollercoaster. This time, he’s outdone himself with a love story that’s got everyone reaching for tissues and tickets. Literally.
Fresh faces and big impact
Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda received much praise for their spark, the awkward charm, and the kind of chemistry that makes you believe in love again. Debutants hitting Rs 500 crore? Now that’s a plot twist nobody saw coming. It has been a while since Bollywood saw a love story making such an impact.
The slow-burn strategy
Saiyaara didn’t explode overnight. It simmered and grew, and word of mouth turned this film into the talk of the town. Sometimes, slow and steady really does win the race. Despite hitting just around 1,750 screens—far fewer than star-studded blockbusters like Housefull 5 (5,000 screens), Raid 2, or Sitaare Zameen Par (both on 3,000 screens)—Saiyaara kept pace with the box office giants Jawan, Pathaan, Stree 2, Chhaava, and Animal.
Romance for a new generation
Perhaps, this is what Bollywood fans needed desperately. A fresh love story, filled with some yearning. And, Saiyaara, seems to have delivered, going by the infinite reactions, tweets and praises. It serves fresh, relatable romance that’s modern but still hits all the notes. It’s clearly the love story this generation’s been waiting for, and they’re showing up in droves.
Lakshana is an entertainment and lifestyle journalist with over a decade of experience. She covers a wide range of stories—from community and health to mental health and inspiring people features.
A passionate K-pop enthusiast, she also enjoys exploring the cultural impact of music and fandoms through her writing.