The romantic drama Saiyaara, directed by Mohit Suri and starring debutants Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, has become a box office sensation. Released on July 18, the film has garnered significant attention and broken several records, exceeding expectations for a film led by newcomers.
Saiyaara's success is driven by its strong music, appeal to youth, and positive word-of-mouth. The movie has particularly resonated with metro youth audiences, and its soundtrack is dominating music charts.
Shaan R Grover, who plays the antagonist Mahesh Iyer, has shared his thoughts on the possibility of a sequel. In an exclusive interview with Zoom, Grover acknowledged that a Saiyaara sequel is possible, but only if Mohit Suri and Yash Raj Films (YRF) develop a script that matches the quality of the first film.
Grover expressed that there's potential to further explore his character, Mahesh Iyer, whose exit in the first film felt abrupt. He suggested a storyline where Vaani might want to meet Mahesh one last time, which could create a new character arc for Krish. However, as of now, there are no ongoing discussions regarding a sequel, and it ultimately depends on YRF and Mohit Suri.
Saiyaara has already surpassed several major releases of the year, including Sky Force, Raid 2, Sitaare Zameen Par, and Kesari Chapter 2. In just five days, Saiyaara has earned ₹132.25 crore in India, surpassing the lifetime earnings of Gangubai Kathiawadi and Stree. Trade insiders suggest that if the film had established stars, it could have easily crossed ₹200 crore.
The film's opening day collection was ₹21 crore, marking the best opening for director Mohit Suri's career. Saiyaara has also achieved the highest opening day ticket sales for a debut film since 2000. The film earned ₹25 crore on its first day in India, with approximately 9.75 lakh people watching it in theaters.
Globally, Saiyaara grossed $11.9 million in its opening weekend, securing the ninth position on the global box office chart. In India, the film's two-day gross was $6.6 million, with expectations of higher numbers on Sunday. The film's total weekend collection reached ₹83 crore, making it one of the top five highest opening weekends of 2025.
Shaan Grover has received praise for his portrayal of Mahesh Iyer, with many viewers expressing their dislike for the character, which Grover sees as a validation of his performance. Grover has also spoken about the chemistry workshops he attended with Aneet Padda to develop their on-screen relationship. According to Shaan, portraying Mahesh was emotionally unsettling, as he doesn't personally relate to the character's toxic traits.
The success of Saiyaara demonstrates the audience's readiness for fresh storytelling and new faces. The film's performance has rewritten box office records, proving to be a breakout hit with long-term potential.