Special Correspondent
Mumbai : Imagine defeating the King of Romance with your very first film. Debutants Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda no longer have to imagine it – they’ve done it. Their debut film ‘Saiyaara’, directed by Mohit Suri, has scripted history by surpassing the lifetime domestic box office collection of Shah Rukh Khan’s iconic 2013 romantic blockbuster, Chennai Express.
According to reports, Saiyaara has grossed ₹242 crore in just 10 days of its theatrical run, overtaking the ₹227 crore collected by Chennai Express during its full domestic run. What’s even more remarkable is that the second Saturday collection of Saiyaara — ₹26.25 crore — is higher than its first Saturday, a rare and impressive feat in the post-pandemic box office era.
On Sunday, Saiyaara added another ₹25 crore to its tally, and trade experts expect this figure to rise further as final counts come in. Trade analyst Taran Adarsh shared on X (formerly Twitter) “Saiyaara is a BLOCKBUSTER! Having crossed the ₹200 crore mark on its second Saturday, the film is now confidently marching towards the ₹300 crore milestone. What’s exceptional is that the second Saturday’s collection has beaten the first a rarity today.”
Saiyaara is a soulful romantic drama that follows the journey of a lyricist and a singer — two young artists entangled in love, heartbreak, ambition, and reconciliation. With melodious music, a well-paced screenplay, and deep emotional connect, the film has resonated widely with audiences across urban and semi-urban centers.
Audience word-of-mouth has been a major driver of the film’s success, with viewers applauding the on-screen chemistry between Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda. The film’s music album has also become a chart-topper on streaming platforms, further boosting its popularity.
Yash Raj Films, the studio backing Saiyaara, has clarified through inside sources that while Aneet Padda’s next project may be released on OTT, she is still being groomed as a “big-screen heroine”. The studio reportedly sees long-term potential in her cinematic appeal and intends to position her prominently in future theatrical releases.
Grateful for the overwhelming love, Ahaan Panday took to Instagram and wrote “#OneWeekOfSaiyaara – Thank you for all the love. Can’t believe this is real. My debut film, and we’ve already created history.”
Beyond numbers, Saiyaara marks a shift in the Bollywood narrative. In an era where established stars often struggle to draw audiences to cinemas, two newcomers — backed by strong storytelling and music — have delivered one of the year’s biggest hits.
From first-time director–actor collaborations to a musical core and poetic storytelling, Saiyaara proves that the audience is hungry for fresh faces and heartfelt content.
