The upcoming Bollywood film Saiyaara, starring newcomers Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, is generating significant buzz ahead of its release on July 18, 2025. Directed by Mohit Suri and backed by Yash Raj Films (YRF), the romantic musical drama has already made a mark with its impressive advance bookings.
Advance Booking Details
Saiyaara has recorded remarkable advance ticket sales, exceeding expectations for a film led by debutants. According to Sacnilk, the film has already sold tickets worth ₹2.69 crore gross (excluding blocked seats) through advance booking for its opening day. Some reports suggest the movie has sold over 1.90 lakh tickets. As of July 17, 2025, the advance booking collections have surpassed ₹7.50 crore, positioning Saiyaara as the second biggest Day 1 opener for a debutant-led film, surpassing Student of the Year (2012), which had a Day 1 total of ₹7.48 crore. This achievement is particularly noteworthy because it was attained purely through advance bookings, before accounting for any Day 1 walk-ins.
Box Office Predictions
Trade experts are optimistic about Saiyaara's box office performance. Conservative estimates suggest an opening day collection of ₹10-12 crore, while more liberal estimates project as high as ₹15-20 crore. The film is expected to have a double-digit opening, potentially breaking the record for the highest opening-day collection for a Hindi film featuring debutants in lead roles. The current record is held by Dhadak (2018), which earned ₹8.76 crore on its release day. Saiyaara has the potential to surpass Dhadak's record and achieve a double-digit opening by the end of Day 1.
Factors Contributing to the Buzz
Several factors have contributed to the positive buzz surrounding Saiyaara. The film's soulful music, emotionally charged trailer, and the brand value of director Mohit Suri have generated audience anticipation. The fresh pairing of Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, coupled with a compelling love story, has also piqued audience curiosity. Furthermore, the film's strong marketing, backed by Aditya Chopra's production house, has played a crucial role in creating a buzz. The makers are also offering discounts on tickets, which could further boost earnings.
Screen Count and CBFC Rating
Yash Raj Films has blocked 1750 screens worldwide for Saiyaara. Depending on the film's opening day performance and audience demand, the screen count could be increased over the weekend. The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has cleared Saiyaara with a U/A 16+ certificate and a runtime of 156.50 minutes (2 hours, 36 minutes, and 50 seconds). The CBFC also asked for some changes, including the removal and replacement of 10 seconds of 'sensual, intimacy, body exposure visuals' and censoring 'objectionable' words.
Ahaan Panday's Debut
Saiyaara marks the Bollywood debut of Ahaan Panday, cousin of actress Ananya Panday. Director Mohit Suri revealed that Ahaan's audition did not initially impress him, but his personality and confidence ultimately convinced him that Ahaan was the right choice for the film.
Comparison with Other Films
Saiyaara's advance bookings have surpassed several debutant-led films, including Vicky Donor, Saawariya, and Refugee. The film has also outperformed the final ticket sales of Housefull 5 and Raid 2 at national chains before its release. However, to enter the top 5 Bollywood pre-sales of 2025, Saiyaara needs to surpass Sky Force, requiring a significant jump in sales.
While Saiyaara's strong advance booking numbers indicate a promising start, its ultimate success will depend on audience reception and critical acclaim. Nevertheless, the film has already defied expectations and generated considerable excitement within the industry.
