Saiyaara becomes the biggest box office surprise of the year by setting multiple records. Directed by Mohit Suri, known for Malang and Ek Villain Returns, the new Indian movie follows a troubled musician, Krish, and a shy songwriter, Vaani, from vastly different backgrounds and beliefs, whose relationship develops into a pᴀssionate yet complex romance.
The film stars Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda in the two lead roles alongside a supporting cast that includes Geeta Agrawal, Rajesh Kumar, Varun Badola, Shaad Randhawa, Sid Makkar, Alam Khan, Shaan Grover, Neil Dutta, Anngad Raaj, Ritika Murthy, Mohit Wadhwa, Meher Acharia Dar, and Raunak Kumar Rawat.
According to ᴅᴇᴀᴅline, since its theatrical release on July 18, Saiyaara has grossed $46.8 million globally in less than two weeks, making it the second highest-grossing Indian film of 2025, behind the historical action film Chhaava. It also ranks as the second-highest-grossing Hindi movie of the year, surpᴀssing major тιтles like Raid 2, Sitaare Zameen Par, and Housefull 5.
What This Means For Saiyaara
It’s Defied The Odds
Despite minimal publicity, a small-scale release, and a cast without any major stars, Saiyaara has surpᴀssed expectations to become the second-highest-grossing Indian film of 2025. The movie had limited marketing leading up to its release, debuted on a limited number of screens across the country, and stars two fresh faces, Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, in the lead roles.
Suffice it to say, Saiyaara‘s box office success has taken everyone by surprise. It now trails only Chhaava as the highest-grossing Indian film of 2025. It’s especially impressive that Saiyaara is the second-highest-grossing Hindi movie of the year, outperforming high-profile releases like Raid 2, Sitaare Zameen Par, and Housefull 5, all of which featured star-studded casts.
Our Take On Saiyaara’s Box Office Success
Has India Found Its Next Big Stars?
Thanks to Saiyaara‘s remarkable box office success, Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda could be Indian cinema’s next big stars. While Panday makes his film debut in Saiyaara, delivering a performance that blends vulnerability and intensity, Padda was already an emerging star thanks to Prime Video’s Big Girls Don’t Cry, now proving her versatility and emotional depth on the big screen.
Indian cinema celebrates its charismatic movie stars, as opposed to how Hollywood increasingly prioritizes existing franchises and intellectual property over individual actors.
Indian cinema celebrates its charismatic movie stars, as opposed to how Hollywood increasingly prioritizes existing franchises and intellectual property over individual actors. In Indian cinema, where star power often eclipses everything else, Saiyaara has reminded audiences of the enduring appeal of compelling new talent. Saiyaara perhaps signals the arrival of Indian cinema’s next big on-screen duo in Panday and Padda.
Saiyaara is showing in theaters.
Source: ᴅᴇᴀᴅline
