The landscape of Bollywood has undergone a significant transformation in the post-pandemic era. While the prevailing wisdom suggested that only big-budget, mass-appeal films could guarantee theatrical success following several high-profile disappointments, the year 2025 delivered a stunning exception. Against all odds, a musical romantic comedy titled Saiyaara, featuring two complete newcomers, not only became a smash hit but also rewrote the history books for its genre.
A Record-Breaking Run for a Debut-Led Romance
Helmed by director Mohit Suri, Saiyaara launched the careers of Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda with unprecedented force. The film quickly distinguished itself from the typical big-ticket releases of the year. According to a Hindustan Times report, Saiyaara achieved a monumental feat by becoming the highest-grossing love story in the history of Indian cinema. In its remarkable theatrical journey, it surpassed the lifetime collections of iconic romantic films such as Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol's timeless classic Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge and Hrithik Roshan's debut blockbuster Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai.
The film's success was signaled from its very first day. Data from Sacnilk revealed that Saiyaara collected a massive ₹9.39 crore in final advance bookings for its opening day alone, with approximately 3.8 lakh tickets sold in pre-sales. Trade analyst Taran Adarsh highlighted on X that the film sold an impressive 1,38,000 tickets across major national chains on its opening day.
Historic Opening Day Context
This kind of earth-shattering opening-day impact for a film led by debutants is a rare phenomenon in Bollywood. The last comparable instances were Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai and Refugee (starring Abhishek Bachchan and Kareena Kapoor), both released in the year 2000. To put this in perspective, prior to 2000, Shah Rukh Khan's Kuch Kuch Hota Hai held the record for the highest opening day at ₹87 lakh, while DDLJ opened at ₹55 lakh. The evergreen Hum Aapke Hain Koun! started its run with a modest ₹10 lakh opening.
Saiyaara in the 2025 Box Office Landscape
While Saiyaara's triumph led many to predict a resurgence of romantic comedies, the rest of 2025's top performers told a different story. The year's other major hits were largely defined by scale, stars, and spectacle. The list includes:
- The historical action drama Chhaava (₹807.91 crore)
- The spy thriller Dhurandhar (₹1,082 crore)
- The epic mythological spectacle Kantara: Chapter 1 (₹851.89 crore)
These films were powered by massive budgets, star-studded ensembles, and grand action sequences. In this company, the success of Saiyaara, which earned ₹569.75 crore, stands out as a genuine anomaly and the undisputed romantic blockbuster of the year.
Other significant box office successes in 2025 included Coolie (₹518 crore), Mahavatar Narsimha (₹325.74 crore), War 2 (₹364.35 crore), Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra (₹303.67 crore), They Call Him OG (₹293.65 crore), and L2: Empuraan (₹265.5 crore).
The Lasting Impact
The unprecedented victory of Saiyaara has sent a powerful message to the Hindi film industry. It proves that a well-crafted love story with fresh faces and strong music can still resonate deeply with audiences and achieve historic commercial success, even in an era dominated by larger-than-life spectacles. The film has redefined the potential for romantic narratives and opened doors for new talent, challenging the post-COVID belief that only a specific formula guarantees box office glory.
