Director Mohit Suri, basking in the monumental success of his recent film Saiyaara, has revealed how the film's triumph altered perceptions and relationships within the film industry. Speaking at a session during FICCI Frames 2025, Suri recounted the surprising reactions from those who initially doubted him, stating that they later claimed the film's success as their own.
Saiyaara, a romantic drama starring debutants Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, has become a global box office phenomenon, grossing approximately ₹579 crore worldwide. The film, produced by Yash Raj Films and directed by Suri, tells the story of a musician and a poet whose love story faces a painful twist before fate reunites them. Its emotional depth and soulful music have resonated deeply with audiences, establishing it as the highest-grossing romantic drama in Indian cinema.
Suri expressed his astonishment at the widespread acclaim for Saiyaara, noting that even competitors and producers who had previously been skeptical of his abilities embraced the film's victory. He admitted that he has never witnessed such an outpouring of love for a film in his two-decade-long career. He humorously added, "Competitors, people who didn't believe in me, other producers. Surprisingly, they all felt it was their win".
The director reflected on the humbling experience of witnessing the film's impact, recalling the numerous calls and messages he received from people around the world who were moved by Saiyaara. Suri shared, "I remember telling my wife this for the whole week after that, or a month, I think, that every evening don't disturb me, everyone's calling because they watched the film from all over the world".
According to reports, Aditya Chopra had immense faith in the movie, even in its early stages. Suri recalled a rough cut of the film that ran for three hours and fifteen minutes, but Chopra remained confident that "even if this film opens at ₹4-5 crores, it'll still touch ₹100 crores".
The success of Saiyaara has not only revitalized the romance genre in Indian cinema but has also established Panday and Padda as Gen Z stars. Many industry experts and trade analysts have compared the film's impact to that of Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai, which launched Hrithik Roshan and Ameesha Patel into superstardom 25 years ago.
Looking ahead, Suri confirmed that he is in talks with Yash Raj Films for another project. While details are scarce, he revealed that it would be another romantic film. He emphasized the importance of starting fresh with each project, rather than chasing formulas or repeating past successes.
