Saiyaara follows the love story of Krish Kapur, a short-tempered musician, and Vaani, a shy and aspiring journalist-turned-poet.
At a time when star-studded big-budget films have been falling flat on their faces, Saiyaara has stolen the limelight completely. Starring debutant Ahaan Panday and actress Aneet Padda, the romantic drama has become the new cultural phenomenon. Directed by seasoned filmmaker Mohit Suri and produced under the YRF banner, it is a hit with the audience, entering the 100 crore club within just four days of its release.
With its portrayal of love and heartbreak, Saiyaara has struck a chord with Gen Z audiences so much so that fans are taking their devotion to extreme, and at times bizarre, levels. However, those who are yet to watch the movie are asking just one question: What’s the hype around Saiyaara? Well, there are many reasons. Let us explain it to you.
Online ‘mania’ that’s fuelling curiosity
If you have been online since Saiyaara released theatrically on July 18, chances are that you have come across news like a young man showing up in a theatre hooked up to an IV drip. Some other viral clips showed ecstatic fans ripping off their shirts, with some dancing in front of the big screen, while another overwhelmed fan lay down on the floor. Such growing incidents have further piqued people’s curiosity, compelling them to go to the theatres to see for themselves what the fuss is all about.
While such bizarre incidents occur, some people have also encountered rowdy audiences that ruined their film-watching experiences. Aman Kumar, a reporter with MensXP, watched Saiyaara in a packed single-screen theatre and shared his experience. Although he had a good start, it suddenly turned “unpleasant” when a bunch of rowdy men decided to make inappropriate remarks and vulgar noises at a girl. He said, “It’s unfortunate that a film, no matter how entertaining, becomes inaccessible to family audiences due to the unruly behaviour of a few self-appointed cheerleaders.”
Unique marketing strategy that worked
In an unexpected move, the makers of Saiyaara decided not to promote the film or introduce the newcomers through the usual promotional tactics. The skipped traditional media tours, interviews, and events, letting the visuals and soundtrack of the film do all the talking. The lead pair stayed away from the spotlight in the days leading up to the release, making everyone more curious about them. This strategy paid off, which led to an increase in anticipation surrounding Saiyaara.
Box office performance
On Day 1 alone, Saiyaara raked in a total of Rs 21.5 crore, as per Sacnilk. It is the highest opening day figure for any film directed by Mohit Suri. The film’s opening weekend total stood at an impressive Rs 81 crore, the highest-ever for an Indian romantic film debut. On Day 4, which is considered a slow day at the box office, Saiyaara’s magic did not die down. It collected an estimated Rs 22.50 crore on Day 4, bringing its total to Rs 105.75 crore.
Music that swooned hearts
Not just its storyline, lead pair’s chemistry or box office performance, Saiyaara’s soundtrack also tugged at the heartstrings of the audience. It consists of seven songs, including Faheem Abdullah’s Saiyaara, Jubin Nautiyal’s Barbaad, Vishal Mishra and Hansika Pareek’s Tum Ho Toh, Sachet-Parampara’s Humsafar and Arijit Singh’s Dhun. The songs don’t just sound good, but also convey the film’s emotions, helping the audience connect with the story more effectively.
New actors and their undeniable chemistry
Saiyaara marks the debut of Ahaan Panday, cousin of actress Ananya Panday, in the Bollywood film industry. It is also the lead actress Aneet Padda’s first major role since she entered the industry. Both the rising stars have won hearts with their honest performances. Their chemistry felt natural, emotions were believable, and their presence was fresh, as viewers noted. After seeing the lead pair in the film, some people have called Ahaan the “best nepo actor of this generation” while tagging Aneet as the “next national crush.”
A storyline that was relatable
Spoilers Alert! Saiyaara follows the love story of Krish Kapur, a short-tempered musician, and Vaani, a shy, aspiring journalist-cum-poet. They meet, fall in love and together build a successful career for Krish. Soon, he learns that Vaani has Alzheimer’s disease after some troublesome moments with her ex-boyfriend. Despite the struggles and ups and downs, the two eventually find their way back to each other and get married, marking the end of the emotional story.
Despite being a success at the box office, Saiyaara isn’t devoid of controversy. After watching it, some claimed that Mohit Suri’s film was heavily inspired by the Korean film, A Moment To Remember, starring Son Ye Jin and Jung Woo Sung. The primary difference between the two films is that the conflict arises before the lead pair’s marriage. Moreover, the lead pairs in both films have different professions, with Saiyaara’s narrative having a young pair.
And if you are still asking if Saiyaara is worth all the craze, we suggest you watch it in theatres.
