Saiyaara’s Record-Breaking Debut

Yash Raj Films and director Mohit Suri have struck gold with their latest romantic drama, “Saiyaara,” starring newcomers Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda. The film has made a remarkable impact at the box office, setting new records for a debut film in Indian cinema. Released on July 18, “Saiyaara” achieved an impressive Rs 25 crore (approximately $2.9 million) on its opening day in India. This achievement marks the highest opening day for a Hindi film led by debutants, surpassing the previous record held by “Dhadak” in 2018.

Unprecedented Ticket Sales

“Saiyaara” also set a new benchmark for advance bookings, with Rs 9.39 crore generated before its release and 3.8 lakh tickets sold. Trade analyst Taran Adarsh reported that national chains like PVR INOX and Cinepolis contributed significantly to this success, selling 1.38 lakh tickets collectively. This is the highest opening day ticket sales for a debut film since the year 2000, when “Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai” and “Refugee” made headlines.

Director Mohit Suri’s Career Milestone

For director Mohit Suri, known for hits like “Aashiqui 2” and “Ek Villain,” “Saiyaara” represents his career-best opening. The film’s Rs 21 crore nett opening surpassed his previous successes, including “Ek Villain,” “Murder 2,” and “Aashiqui 2.”

Limited Screenings, Maximum Impact

Despite being screened only 8,000 times across India—less than half the usual number for such collections—”Saiyaara” managed to fill theatres to capacity in major cities. This feat underscores the film’s strong appeal and audience draw.

Global Success and Weekend Triumph

Globally, “Saiyaara” grossed $11.9 million in its opening weekend, securing the ninth spot on the global box office chart according to Comscore. In India alone, the two-day gross reached $6.6 million, with expectations of further growth as Sunday numbers are tallied. The total weekend collection of Rs 83 crore places it among the top five highest opening weekends of 2025.

Outperforming Major Releases

In just three days, “Saiyaara” outperformed several big releases of the year such as “Sky Force,” “Raid 2,” and “Sitaare Zameen Par.” It also surpassed lifetime collections of films like “Maalik,” “Deva,” and “The Diplomat.” Notably, it exceeded the earnings of Anurag Basu’s star-studded film “Metro… In Dino.”

Reviving Interest in Romantic Films

The success of “Saiyaara” contributes to a resurgence of interest in romantic films, following successful re-releases like “Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani” and “Sanam Teri Kasam.” With its strong box office performance, “Saiyaara” leads this trend, reaffirming the genre’s enduring appeal.