Mohit Suri’s Saiyaara, a romantic drama led by newcomers Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, has set the box office ablaze, defying the struggles of big-ticket Hindi films and sequels. With global collections exceeding ₹500 crore and domestic earnings at ₹321.35 crore after 26 days, it has become the highest-grossing romantic film in Hindi cinema history. However, the release of Mahavatar Narsimha has already slowed its momentum, and the upcoming Independence Day releases, War 2 and Coolie, pose a further challenge. NDTV spoke with trade experts to evaluate whether Saiyaara can maintain its remarkable run.
Released on July 18, Saiyaara enjoyed a two-week window without major Hindi releases, amassing ₹172 crore in its first week. Its second week added ₹107.75 crore, but collections dropped to ₹28.25 crore in the third week, impacted by Mahavatar Narsimha. The animated mythological action film, directed by Ashwin Kumar, earned ₹174.9 crore by its third Monday, with ₹32.45 crore from the Hindi market in its opening week. Trade expert Komal Nahta stated, “Saiyaara’s craze has already waned. With Coolie and War 2 entering theaters, it will likely drop to the fourth choice, as Mahavatar Narsimha continues to perform strongly.” Trade analyst Taran Adarsh echoed this, telling NDTV, “Mahavatar Narsimha has significantly impacted Saiyaara’s box office. While Saiyaara will continue to run, Coolie and War 2 are set to dominate.”
The success of Saiyaara stems from strategic promotion, perfect timing, and the fresh appeal of its leads, named IMDb Breakout Stars of the Year. It outperformed major releases like Akshay Kumar’s Housefull 5 (₹183 crore), Ajay Devgn’s Raid 2 (₹173 crore), and Aamir Khan’s Sitaare Zameen Par (₹163 crore). Its dominance prompted films like Son of Sardaar 2 and Dhadak 2 to adjust release dates, though both underperformed upon their August 1 debut. Param Sundari, starring Sidharth Malhotra and Janhvi Kapoor, also postponed its release to avoid the Saiyaara wave.
Also Read: Rajinikanth’s Coolie Poster Sparks Hollywood Copycat Controversy
The Independence Day releases introduce stiff competition. Directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, Coolie is Rajinikanth’s 171st film, featuring Nagarjuna, Shruti Haasan, Upendra, Soubin Shahir, Sathyaraj, and a cameo by Aamir Khan. Produced by Sun Pictures, it promises wide appeal. War 2, directed by Ayan Mukerji, unites Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR, with Kiara Advani in a key role. As a sequel to the 2019 blockbuster and part of YRF’s spy thriller universe, it is expected to draw significant crowds.
With Coolie and War 2 set to dominate screens, Saiyaara faces a tough battle to sustain its box office momentum. While its historic run has redefined the potential of romantic films, the arrival of these high-profile releases may push it to a secondary choice. The coming weeks will reveal whether Saiyaara can hold its ground or yield to its competitors.
Also Read: Can Rajinikanth, At 74, Revive Tamil Cinema's Storied Legacy?