The Bollywood debut of Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda in "Saiyaara" is generating significant buzz, with early reviews and box office predictions pointing towards a strong opening. Directed by Mohit Suri and backed by Yash Raj Films, the romantic musical drama is set to release on July 18, 2025, and is already being touted as a potential record-breaker for debutant-led films.
Industry insiders are optimistic about "Saiyaara"'s box office performance. Conservative estimates suggest an opening day collection of ₹10-12 crore net in India, while more liberal predictions go as high as ₹15-20 crore. This is particularly impressive considering that even Aamir Khan's "Sitaare Zameen Par" managed only ₹11.50 crore on its opening day a month ago. Some experts are even suggesting that "Saiyaara" could potentially surpass the opening day footfalls record for a debutant-led film, a record that has remained untouched for 25 years. Advance bookings for "Saiyaara" have already crossed ₹2.6 crore, with over 1 lakh tickets sold for day 1. According to Sacnilk, the film is expected to sell over 1.50 lakh tickets before Friday.
The positive reception can be attributed to several factors. The film's music, composed by Mithoon, Sachet-Parampara, and others, has resonated well with audiences. The trailer, which evokes a similar vibe to Mohit Suri's earlier film "Aashiqui 2", has also generated considerable excitement, particularly among younger viewers. Moreover, the film's reportedly reasonable ticket pricing strategy and the strong buzz surrounding Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda's debut performances have contributed to the anticipation.
Initial reviews of "Saiyaara" are overwhelmingly positive. Singer Palak Muchhal described the film as "pure magic," praising its emotional depth, storytelling, and the raw performances of Ahaan and Aneet. According to Times Now, Muchhal wrote, "Saiyaara is not just a love story, it's a journey of emotion, pain, healing, and timeless connection. A story that truly needed to be told, and told the way it has been". She further added that Ahaan and Aneet are "hands down the most brilliant debutantes I've ever seen," commending their authenticity and power. Another reviewer, Kuldeep Gadhvi, called "Saiyaara" a "total paisa vasool experience" that will grip viewers from beginning to end, highlighting the phenomenal narrative, relatable emotions, and the lead actors' sparkling chemistry.
"Saiyaara" tells the story of two passionate lovers navigating the highs and lows of a tumultuous relationship. The film's synopsis reads: "Passionate lovers navigate a rollercoaster romance, facing euphoric highs and crushing lows while desperately clinging to their tumultuous bond". The movie also features Varun Badola and Shaan R Grover in key roles.
While "Saiyaara" is expected to have a strong opening, it faces competition from other films releasing around the same time. However, if the positive buzz and box office predictions hold true, "Saiyaara" could become a significant success and establish Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda as new stars in Bollywood.
