Why Has Saiyaara Starring Ahaan Panday And Aneet Padda Resonated With Gen Z?
Saiyaara has resonated with Gen Z as Mohit Suri's directorial musical romantic drama starring Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda does impressive numbers at box office.
Fun activity: Name at least five Bollywood movies released in the last couple of months. Now, tell us something: Did you have to Google that, or are you well-versed in Hindi movies hitting the theatres and quietly leaving them without a trace? Saiyaara has, somehow, emerged to be an anomaly here. Directed by Mohit Suri, yes, the same director who launched Kunal Khemu 20 years ago with Kalyug, has returned to the scene and managed to collect the biggest opening for a movie in his career yet.
How did that happen?
What Is Saiyaara?
If clicking on this article made you go 'what is a saiyaara", you may be in the minority, but that's okay. Suri, the director, presented two new faces – debutant Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda. Saiyaara, under the Yash Raj Films banner, hit the theatres on Friday, 18th July to rave reviews online and offline. The fact that the movie's soulful music has received appreciation has only helped the movie get the legs despite the new faces the audience had to work with (yet again!) on the big screen. As for the plot, we wouldn't want to spoil it for you.
Why Saiyaara Has Worked For Gen Z
'Why is #Saiyaara getting such a crazy response?" an X user by the handle @NishitShawHere asked his fellow Bollywood buffs. The answers quickly poured in.
'Maybe Gen Z is tired of watching overly muscular, VFX heavy 50+ year budhha romancing actresses young enough to be their granddaughters (sic)," wrote one user in response.
A break from seeing old actors romancing actresses half their age has come as a breather, say fans.
'Man, let this generation have some youth romance contents (even if it's just mediocre) where the male actor isn't pushing 40 and the actress in 20s. Where male lead doesn't look like he hasn't taken a shower for years and the pathetic cringe 'heroic" dialogues (sic)."
'Gen Z is done with the same old faces & cringe tropes. We want fresh talent, age-appropriate stories, and relatable vibes no forced 'Dishoom Dishoom" or random songs, (sic)" remarked another user.
'Because people of our generation yearn for real love — the kind that says, 'I'll stay, I'll keep holding on to you even if you don't remember a thing about me.' Love that is not confused and weak. Love that endures through everything, in health and in sickness."
'Sick and tired of same old action and senseless movies. Nice to see a young romcom after long, that too with fresh faces! (sic)"
In summary, young fans appreciate that the movie captivates audiences without relying on heavy visual effects, major celebrities, or relentless, physics-defying action sequences. The age-appropriate romance is what they had been looking for and Saiyaara fulfils their demand on that front.
News18 Showsha gave the film 3.5/5 stars.
'What truly elevates the screenplay is the scintillating chemistry between the lead pair. Mohit taps into the rawness and naivety of Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda and weaves a story with a beating heart. Saiyaara isn't experimental, it isn't novel, and it isn't spiffy, but it has a lot of heart. Ahaan, as Krish does a fantastic job. What an incredible debut! He delivers an act that can make even the experienced and seasoned envious," an excerpt from the review read.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Viral Bhayani (@viralbhayani)
According to industry tracker Sacnilk, Saiyaara has reportedly collected Rs 20.50 crore by 11:30 pm on Day 1. This is Suri's highest first-day opening for any film in his entire catalogue, including Murder 2 (2011), Aashiqui 2 (2013), Half Girlfriend (2017).
Get Latest Updates on Movies, Breaking News On India, World, Live Cricket Scores, And Stock Market Updates. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated!
tags :
Saiyaara
view comments
Location :
New Delhi, India, India
First Published:
July 19, 2025, 10:12 IST
News explainers Why Has Saiyaara Starring Ahaan Panday And Aneet Padda Resonated With Gen Z?
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India.com
6 minutes ago
- India.com
'I cried in my van...' Isha Koppikar reveals SHOCKING incident with choreographer, 'He insulted me in public...'
'I cried in my van...' Isha Koppikar reveals SHOCKING incident with choreographer, 'He insulted me in public...' Before garnering fame in the Hindi film industry with films like Don, Company and Salaam-e-Ishq , Isha Koppikar started her career in South cinema. The actress recently recounted a bruising experience she encountered at the start of her acting journey. Isha Koppikar recalls being humiliated by a South choreographer In a conversation with Digital Commentary, Isha recalled being publicly humiliated by a choreographer on the sets of her Telugu debut for lacking dance training. Sharing the painful incident, she shared, 'Yes, in one of the South films, I had just begun my career. This is before I entered Bollywood. When I was on set, there was a lot of dance. You know how South dances are — they are not easy. But in my first film, mere choreographer ne mujhe sabke saamne bola ki yeh Bollywood se ladkiyan aati hai, pata nahi kyun le lete hain inko. Kuch aata hi nahi inhe.' Clearly affected by the remarks at the time, Isha said, 'He humiliated me. I don't know if he was under some pressure. And he said dance nahi aata toh yahan kyun aayi ho? I felt very bad and humiliated. I went back to my make-up room and I cried. But I took it up as a challenge. And I said, the next time I come to the South, I'll come after learning how to dance — I won't let anyone talk like that again.' How 'Khallas' became a turning point in Isha Koppikar's career Determined to transform, she sought guidance from Saroj Khan's assistant Usha Ji. Her hard work paid off as she delivered a superhit dance number Khallas in Company (2002) , popularly becoming the 'Khallas Girl.' She thanked Khallas director Ram Gopal Varma and choreographer Ganesh Acharya for giving her the opportunity and said, 'Ramu came to me and said, 'I have made this set for you. You should feel that this is your father's set. I want such an attitude. So I said, 'Okay. If it is my father's, then I will bring the same attitude. And then Khallas happened and magic happened.' Meanwhile, Isha recently appeared in Ayalaan , a Tamil sci-fi film starring Sivakarthikeyan, Rakul Preet Singh, and others.
News18
14 minutes ago
- News18
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi Reboot Becomes Highest-Rated Hindi Daily Soap In 5 Years; BARC Ratings Out
Smriti Irani's Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi reboot premiered on July 29, achieving a huge rating, making it the highest-rated Hindi GEC fiction launch in five years. Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi reboot, which premiered on July 29 on Star Plus and JioHotstar, made a remarkable debut with a 2.5 TVR, making it the highest-rated Hindi GEC fiction launch (drama series or daily soap broadcast on Hindi-language General Entertainment Channels in India) in the last five years, as per BARC data. In a fragmented TV landscape where most fiction shows fail to cross the 2 TVR mark in their opening week, this can be safely touted as a landmark achievement. Airing at 10:30 pm on weekdays, the late prime-time slot series is also available for streaming. The show brings back Smriti Irani and Amar Upadhyay as Tulsi and Mihir Virani, joined by a new generation of the Virani family, sparking nostalgia among fans. What worked for Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi reboot? Leaning heavily on nostalgia, the reboot used the original theme song and brought back iconic characters, aiming to connect with viewers who loved the early 2000s classic. The first episode also paid homage to characters like Baa and Savita Virani. Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi reboot relied on best promotional tactics The show benefited from an aggressive promotional campaign across TV and digital platforms. As per an Exchange 4 Media report, the show locked in eight major sponsors ahead of the launch, and four more advertisers came on board just a day before the premiere, impressed by the buzz and projected viewership. The additional sponsors are believed to include brands from the consumer electronics, insurance, and household goods sectors, though their names remain undisclosed. Piyush Goyal, TV Distribution Head at JioStar, called the 2.5 TVR a 'milestone" and thanked the distribution network for amplifying the show's reach. He also hailed it as the biggest Hindi GEC fiction launch in the past five years. Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi reboot first episode review News18 Showsha rated the show with 3 out of 5 stars in its first-episode review if Ektaa Kapoor's show. An excerpt from our review read: 'It is worth noting that as Ekta Kapoor reintroduces Tulsi and Mihir to the screen, she adds an emotional masterstroke — a beautifully edited video montage featuring their most iconic moments from the original series. This heartfelt compilation plays like a nostalgic rewind, capturing the essence of their enduring bond, dramatic highs, and tear-jerking lows. It's a deliberate and touching reminder of why these characters became household names in the first place." First Published: August 07, 2025, 10:51 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
15 minutes ago
- News18
Mahavatar Narsimha Box Office Collection: Ashwin Kumar's Film Earns Rs 6 Crore On Day 13
Mahavatar Narsimha earned Rs 6 crore on Wednesday across all languages, pushing its 12-day domestic total to a staggering Rs 112.8 crore. Ashwin Kumar's mythological drama, Mahavatar Narsimha, continues its dream run at the box office. Despite stiff competition from films like Saiyaara, Son of Sardaar 2, Dhadak 2 and The Fantastic Four: First Steps, the film has seen massive growth at the domestic box office since its release. On Wednesday too, it achieved significant numbers, emerging as a true audience favourite. According to Mahavatar Narsimha earned Rs 6 crore on Wednesday across all languages, pushing its 12-day domestic total to a staggering Rs 112.8 crore. Mahavatar Narsimha Box Office Collections The film made Rs 44.75 crore in its opening week. In week two, the mythological drama saw a surge in collections fueled by growing word-of-mouth and a strong social media buzz surrounding the film. Mahavatar Narsimha clocked an overall Hindi occupancy of 13.64 per cent on Wednesday, August 6. The film saw steady growth through the day, with 7.41 per cent occupancy in morning shows, 11.10 per cent in the afternoon, and 15.24 per cent in the evening. The numbers peaked during night shows, with 20.79 per cent occupancy. Mahavatar Narsimha Breaking Records With this feat, Mahavatar Narsimha becomes the first animated film in India to enter the Rs 100-crore club. The film has shattered previous records, surpassing global hits such as Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, The Incredibles and Kung Fu Panda in the Indian market to bag the title of the highest-grossing animated film. Mahavatar Narsimha: Storyline, Production, Upcoming Franchise Directed by Ashwin Kumar and produced under the banners of Hombale Films and Kleem Productions, the film features a powerful screenplay by Jayapurna Das and Rudra Pratap Ghosh. The mythological drama, released on the silver screens on July 25, was presented in five Indian languages, broadening its cultural and regional appeal. Mahavatar Narsimha has been edited by Kleem Productions and backed by Shilpaa Dhawan, Kushal Desai and Chaitanya Desai. It is also worth noting that Mahavatar Narsimha is the first chapter in the ambitious animated franchise centred on the ten avatars of Lord Vishnu. Expected to unfold over the next decade, the franchise will continue with titles such as Mahavatar Parshuram (2027), Mahavatar Raghunandan (2029), Mahavatar Dhawkadhesh (2031), Mahavatar Gokulananda (2033) and Mahavatar Kalki in two parts (2035 and 2037). view comments First Published: August 07, 2025, 10:45 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
