The verdict is out: Sayara—featuring debutants Ahaan Panday and Aniet Padda—has delivered a stunning box office performance, earning ₹20.50 crore on its very first day.
Despite featuring new faces, the romantic drama has become one of the biggest openers of 2025, even surpassing films led by Bollywood veterans.
Massive Opening Sets Industry Benchmark
According to early estimates from industry tracker Sacnilk, Sayara recorded the highest Day One opening for a debut-led film in Hindi cinema history. With an overall occupancy rate of 44.33%, the film ran across 3,523 shows nationwide, including 649 in Mumbai and 804 in Delhi-NCR.
To put it in perspective:
Aamir Khan’s Sitare Zameen Par earned ₹10.7 crore on Day One.
Akshay Kumar’s Sky Force opened with ₹12.25 crore.
And the previous debut record was held by Dhadak (2018) at ₹8.76 crore.
A Career-Defining Moment for Mohit Suri
Directed by Mohit Suri and produced by Akshaye Widhani under the YRF banner, Sayara has outperformed Suri’s past hits like:
Murder 2 – ₹6.95 crore
Aashiqui 2 – ₹6.10 crore
Half Girlfriend – ₹10.30 crore
Ek Villain – ₹16 crore
This marks Suri’s biggest opener to date, and potentially a much-needed comeback after a string of lukewarm releases.
Critics and Celebrities Applaud Sayara
While the film may not tread new narrative ground, reviews highlight its emotional depth and sincerity. As Hindustan Times noted:
> “Sayara may not rewrite storytelling norms, but it strikes a deep emotional chord. It understands its audience and delivers with heart.”
Celebrities like Madhur Bhandarkar and Sanjay Gupta praised YRF’s unique marketing strategy—choosing not to involve lead actors in pre-release promotions.
Sanjay Gupta wrote on X:
> “They kept the freshness intact for the big screen, and look how well that paid off!”
A Bold Bet That Paid Off
Sayara’s success isn’t just financial—it also shatters preconceived notions about launching new talent. As director Mohit Suri revealed, many in the industry warned against making the film.
Now, it stands as a testament that authentic content and fresh energy can connect with audiences—regardless of star power.
What’s Next?
With strong word-of-mouth and an impressive weekend ahead, Sayara could emerge as one of the biggest surprise hits of the year. This success may also revive Mohit Suri’s moment
um and open new doors for Ahaan Panday and Aniet Padda in the industry.
