Saiyaara moves Anurag Basu to tears, calls Mohit Suri’s film his most emotional work yet

Mohit Suri’s Saiyaara entered theatres quietly on July 18, without flashy promotions or aggressive marketing. But within a day of its release, the film had the industry talking—and for good reason. Backed by Yash Raj Films, Saiyaara earned Rs 21.25 crore on opening day, making it Mohit Suri’s biggest opener till date.

Starring newcomers Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, the film appears to have found resonance through emotion rather than spectacle. One of the most notable endorsements came from filmmaker Anurag Basu, who took to X (formerly Twitter) to express how deeply the film moved him. “Mohito @mohit11481!! Tight jhappi! You’re an absolute rockstar! Hands down, this is your best work yet. I legit cried like a heartbroken teenager during the climax,” Basu posted. “Thank you for giving us two incredible actors! Bravo, maestro. #Saiyaara @yrf.”

Mohit Suri responded with similar warmth, writing, “Love you dada! Forever and ever and ever!!” What stands out is how Saiyaara has surpassed many of Suri’s earlier blockbusters in terms of first-day earnings. It outdid Ek Villain (Rs 16 crore), Half Girlfriend (Rs 10.30 crore), Murder 2 (Rs 6.95 crore), and Aashiqui 2 (Rs 6.10 crore). According to box office data, Saiyaara recorded 41.07% nationwide occupancy, with strong show counts in Delhi-NCR (804) and Mumbai (649).

The film’s approach has been different. No aggressive social media blitz. No grand star-studded premieres. Just two fresh faces and a director known for his emotional sensibilities. The “quiet release” method may have worked in the film’s favour, sparking curiosity and giving space for word-of-mouth to grow.

With a soundtrack that leans into melancholy and a storyline that avoids over-the-top melodrama, Saiyaara seems to offer what many recent romantic dramas haven’t—genuine emotional payoff. For Ahaan and Aneet, the film is more than a debut—it’s a career-defining entry. And for Suri, it’s possibly his most vulnerable work yet.