Veteran actor Varun Badola, known for his outspoken nature, has recently shared his thoughts on the promotional activities surrounding his latest film, "Saiyaara". In a surprising revelation, Badola stated that he believes the film's PR team "went overboard" with their tactics, particularly on social media, to create a buzz around the movie. This statement directly contradicts claims made by the film's director, Mohit Suri, who had previously asserted that the overwhelming response to "Saiyaara" was entirely organic.

"Saiyaara," directed by Mohit Suri and backed by Aditya Chopra, was released in theaters on July 18, 2025. The film stars Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda in leading roles, with Varun Badola playing the role of Panday's father. The movie has reportedly crossed the Rs 500 crore mark at the box office globally, making it one of the highest-grossing films of 2025.

Following the film's release, numerous videos surfaced on social media showcasing extreme reactions from viewers, some even showing people purportedly visiting theaters with IV drips. These videos quickly went viral, contributing to the film's widespread attention. However, Badola has now suggested that these reactions may not have been as genuine as they appeared.

In an interview with Screen, Varun Badola shared that he noticed the film gaining traction around the third or fourth day after its release. He observed the "euphoria" on Instagram, but also commented on the promotional team's alleged overzealousness. "Log jo chudiya todd rahey hai, chhaatiyaan peet rahe hai. I think the promotions team went a little overboard there, where people are going to see the film, putting IV drips," Badola stated. He jokingly added, "Thank god people didn't go crawling to see the film".

Badola elaborated that while he understands the need to promote a film, he believes the "overboard" tactics are only effective to a certain extent. He emphasized that a film's success ultimately depends on its ability to resonate with the audience. He stated that the film cannot earn so much money just based on Instagram promotions and that people have gone and seen the film, and they have loved it.

Interestingly, Varun Badola also revealed that he has not yet watched "Saiyaara". He admitted that during the film's production, the team was unsure if it would be a major success, hoping only to recover the production costs. However, the film's unexpected box office performance took everyone by surprise.

Badola's comments have ignited discussions about the ethics and authenticity of film promotions in the age of social media. While creative marketing strategies are often employed to capture audience attention, concerns arise when promotional activities potentially mislead viewers or create artificial hype. The actor's candid remarks serve as a reminder that ultimately, a film's true success hinges on its content and its ability to connect with audiences on an emotional level.