Filmmaker Kunal Kohli has voiced his support for the upcoming romantic musical drama Saiyaara, directed by Mohit Suri, while also taking a swipe at contemporary Bollywood heroes for allegedly diminishing the roles of heroines in their films. Kohli's comments highlight a perceived shift in the industry, where he believes leading men have prioritized item songs and their own screen presence over substantial female characters and meaningful musical scores.
Kohli lauded the music of Saiyaara and hinted at a necessary change in the industry. The film, which marks the Bollywood debut of Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, is generating significant buzz with its soulful tracks and exploration of love, fame, and heartbreak. Several music artists have contributed to the film's soundtrack, which is already topping the charts. Saiyaara is backed by Yash Raj Films and is set to release in theaters on July 18, 2025.
In a tweet, Kohli stated that "Today's heroes have killed music by wanting to reduce the role of heroines and thinking that item songs are hit songs". He went on to say that "The change has begun. Good films. Good music are back. Albums. Complete albums. Filmmakers not heroes and their managers and entourages have to take calls about cinema and its music". Kohli expressed his gratitude to the audience for embracing this shift.
Kohli's remarks come at a time when Saiyaara is being compared to iconic romantic films starring newcomers, such as Bobby (1973), Maine Pyar Kiya (1989), and Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai (2000). These films not only introduced fresh faces but also made a powerful impact with strong Day 1 openings at the box office. Some reports suggest that Saiyaara has already surpassed ₹7.50 crore in advance booking sales and has sold over 50,000 tickets in pre-sales. There are also reports that the film will be released in southern states with English subtitles.
Kohli's filmography includes movies such as Hum Tum. He has several upcoming movies, including Saiyaara, Tanvi The Great, Sant Tukaram, 5th September, Aaradhya, Son Of Sardaar 2, and Sarzameen.
