Saiyaara box office day 1: Ahaan Panday makes a historic debut with Rs 20.50 crore

Mohit Suri's romantic drama Saiyaara has made a stunning debut at the box office, raking in an estimated Rs 20.50 crore on its opening day, according to Sacnilk. This impressive figure marks the highest opening day collection for any film directed by Suri, eclipsing his previous blockbusters. The film, starring debutants Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, has set a promising tone for its box office run, generating significant buzz and excitement among audiences.

Saiyaara has made a splash, becoming Mohit Suri's biggest opening film to date. It outshone the opening day earnings of Ek Villain (2014), which collected Rs 16 crore, and also surpassed the first-day collections of Murder 2 (Rs 6.95 crore), Aashiqui 2 (Rs 6.10 crore), and Half Girlfriend (Rs 10.30 crore).

The film saw a strong start, with an overall occupancy rate of 41.07% across 3,523 shows nationwide. Mumbai led with 649 shows, followed by Delhi-NCR with 804. This impressive performance is a result of the growing anticipation surrounding the film, driven by its popular music and effective pre-release strategies.

Saiyaara, produced by Yash Raj Films, is generating buzz not only for its box office success but also for its innovative promotional tactics. Director Madhur Bhandarkar lauded the film on X, stating, "Saiyaara has shattered every myth about launching newcomers… It’s not about who you know. It’s about what you bring."

A piece by our review reads, "With Saiyaara, Mohit Suri has not just made a film. He has made a statement. That love stories still matter. That feelings still matter. That sincerity, when crafted with care, will always outlast spectacle. He has made a film that reminds you of his earliest strengths but also shows how much he has grown as a storyteller. In Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, he has found collaborators who understand what it means to be emotionally naked on screen. They are not chasing charm. They are chasing truth. And they have found it. This is a near-perfect film. And it is a true one. And in the world of romantic cinema, that is a lot rarer than it should be."