The Hindi film industry has witnessed many iconic romantic dramas over the years, but Saiyaara (2025) has carved its own unforgettable path. Released on July 18, 2025, the film starring newcomers Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, and directed by Mohit Suri, turned out to be a surprise blockbuster. In just one week, it has emerged as one of the highest-grossing Bollywood films of 2025.
Let’s take a look at Saiyaara’s box office journey, critical reception, and why it’s become such a massive hit.
📖 What Is Saiyaara About?
Saiyaara is a soulful romantic drama inspired by the Korean classic A Moment to Remember. It revolves around a young couple caught in a heart-wrenching tale of love, memory loss, and resilience. With its emotional depth, fresh pairing, and a melodious soundtrack, Saiyaara has struck a powerful chord with audiences.
🎥 Cast & Crew
- Director: Mohit Suri (Aashiqui 2, Ek Villain)
- Producer: Yash Raj Films
- Lead Actors:
- Ahaan Panday (debut)
- Aneet Padda (debut)
- Music Composers: JAM8, Tanishk Bagchi, Vishal Mishra, and others
- Genres: Romance, Drama, Musical
💥 Box Office Collection Breakdown
🗓 Opening Weekend (July 18–20)
- Day 1 (Friday): ₹21.25 crore
- Day 2 (Saturday): ₹26 crore
- Day 3 (Sunday): ₹35.75 crore
- Opening Weekend Total: ₹83 crore (Net India)
🏆 This made it the biggest romantic debut of 2025 — beating records set by Kabir Singh and Satyaprem Ki Katha.
📈 Weekday Performance
- Day 4 (Monday): ₹24 crore (crossed ₹100 crore mark)
- Day 5 (Tuesday): ₹25 crore (Total: ₹132.25 crore)
- Day 6 (Wednesday): ₹21.5 crore
- Day 7 (Thursday): ₹10–11.7 crore
✅ First Week Total
- India Net Collection: ₹162–165 crore
- India Gross Collection: ~₹183 crore
- Overseas Collection: ~₹37 crore
- Worldwide Total: ₹220 crore+
🌍 Global Triumph: Box Office Highlights
- Crossed ₹100 crore in just 4 days
- Crossed ₹150 crore India net in 6 days
- ₹200+ crore worldwide in just 7 days
- Surpassed box office totals of major films like Sikandar, Sky Force, and Kesari 2
📊 Box Office Comparison: Saiyaara vs Other 2025 Films
| Movie | India Net (1st Week) | Worldwide Gross |
|---|---|---|
| Saiyaara | ₹165 cr | ₹220+ cr |
| Sikandar | ₹121 cr | ₹185 cr |
| Sky Force | ₹135 cr | ₹210 cr |
| Kesari 2 | ₹98 cr | ₹145 cr |
✅ Saiyaara ranks among the Top 5 Bollywood Grossers of the year and continues to dominate the charts in week two.
🔥 Why Saiyaara Became a Blockbuster
- Fresh Faces with Powerful Chemistry – Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda delivered standout performances that surprised everyone.
- Emotional Storyline – Adapted from a Korean tearjerker, the plot blended love, loss, and memory in a way that resonated widely.
- Melodious Soundtrack – Songs like “Saiyaara Reprise,” “Tera Mera Pal,” and “Khoya Sa Tu” became instant hits on Spotify and YouTube.
- Youth-Driven Buzz – Viral TikToks, reels, and Twitter clips helped the film connect with Gen Z and millennials.
- Brand Power of YRF – Strong marketing and wide release (800–2,000 screens) ensured maximum visibility.
📝 Critics & Public Reaction
- IMDb Rating: 8.4/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 90% Audience Score
- User Reviews:
- “Cried my heart out. Best love story since Aashiqui 2!”
- “Ahaan Panday is a star in the making.”
- “Music is unforgettable. Aneet Padda deserves awards.”
🏆 Will Saiyaara Cross ₹300 Crore?
If the film maintains even a modest hold in its second week, it has a strong shot at entering the ₹300 crore club globally — a massive feat for a debutant-starrer. With no major romantic film competing in the next few weeks, Saiyaara has plenty of runway left.
📌 Final Verdict
⭐ Saiyaara has become the surprise blockbuster of 2025, reviving the romantic genre in Bollywood and proving that great storytelling and music still work — even with new faces.
📢 If you haven’t watched Saiyaara yet, you’re missing out on a heartfelt rollercoaster of love, pain, and unforgettable melodies.
🎬 Production Budget & Overall Cost
- The film was produced by Yash Raj Films with an estimated production budget of ₹35–40 crore, covering shooting and core production costs.
- Including post-production, music, print, publicity, and distribution (P&A), the total cost is estimated at around ₹60 crore.
💰 Pre‑release Revenues & Risk Mitigation
- YRF reportedly recovered about ₹45 crore before theatrical release via non‑theatrical rights like digital streaming, satellite, and music.
- This effectively reduced the theatrical break-even point to just around ₹90 crore gross box office (global).
📈 Box Office Return – A High ROI Story
- A ₹60 crore investment against 💥 ₹170+ crore global gross in week one implies over 2–3× theatrical return, pushing the overall return toward 3–6× ROI once pre‑news revenues are included.
- Recent articles note that Saiyaara has already earned “well over double to triple its budget” in just a few days, classifying it as a clear blockbuster.
📊 Summary Table
| Category | Estimated Amount (₹ crore) |
|---|---|
| Core Production Budget | 35–40 |
| Print, Advertising, Post‑Prod | ~15 |
| Total Budget (Production + P&A) | ~60 |
| Pre-release Non‑Theatrical Recovery | ~45 |
| Theatrical Break-even Point | ~90 (gross globally) |
| Box Office Collections (Week 1) | 170 – 190+ |
| Return on Investment (Week 1) | 2–3× theatrical; 3–6× overall |
- Saiyaara demonstrates effective financial risk management through pre-sales, minimal star-driven cost, and controlled marketing.
- This mid-budget model (₹60cr total) delivering blockbuster returns could set a new standard in Bollywood, especially for films focusing on