From ‘Maine Pyar Kiya' to ‘Saiyaara': Bollywood's most memorable debut blockbusters
In an industry as star-driven as Bollywood, first impressions often become lasting legacies. Over the decades, Hindi cinema has witnessed a long lineage of dream debuts—films that didn't just introduce new faces but redefined careers, shaped pop culture, and sometimes rewrote box office history.
As Saiyaara, starring newcomers Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, becomes the latest entrant in this elite club of successful debuts, here's a deep dive into some of Bollywood's most iconic and highest-grossing debut launches—this time, in the order they arrived on screen.
1. Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988) – Rs 2.85 crore
Debutants:
Aamir Khan
, Juhi Chawla
A landmark love story, QSQT didn't just launch Aamir Khan and Juhi Chawla—it revived the romantic tragedy genre in Bollywood.
Its relatively modest box office (by today's standards) belies the massive cultural impact it left behind.
2. Maine Pyar Kiya (1989) – Rs 14.31 crore
Debutant (lead): Salman Khan, Bhagyashree
Though he had appeared in supporting roles earlier, Maine Pyar Kiya was Salman Khan's breakout as a romantic lead. The love story turned into a generational classic and was among the highest-grossing films of its time.
3. Phool Aur Kaante (1991) – Rs 6.1 crore
Debutant: Ajay Devgn, Madhu
Ajay Devgn's unforgettable bike stunt became an iconic entry into Bollywood.
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Phool Aur Kaante was a commercial hit, instantly marking him as a rising action star.
5. Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai (2000) – Rs 44.1 crore
Debutants:
Hrithik Roshan
, Amisha Patel
Hrithik Roshan became a national obsession overnight. With romance, action, and chartbuster songs, the film was a game-changer and set new benchmarks for debut films.
6. Refugee (2000) – Rs 17 crore
Debutants: Abhishek Bachchan, Kareena Kapoor Khan
J.P. Dutta's patriotic drama launched the careers of two industry legacies.
Both Abhishek and Kareena garnered praise for their confident screen presence, setting the stage for their prolific career .
7. Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai (2001) – Rs 17.1 crore
Debutants:
Tusshar Kapoor
,
Tusshar Kapoor's debut alongside Kareena saw fair success at the box office. The romantic drama was well received by audiences at the time, even though Tusshar's career didn't sustain the same momentum.
8. Saawariya (2007) – Rs 22 crore
Debutants: Ranbir Kapoor, Sonam Kapoor
Though a commercial disappointment, Saawariya served as a grand launchpad for both Ranbir and Sonam.
Ranbir has since grown into the best actor of his generation and has some of the biggest films riding on his shoulder.
9. Rock On!! (2008) – Rs 25.12 crore
Debutant: Farhan Akhtar (as actor)
Already a respected director, Farhan surprised audiences with his acting and singing debut in Rock On!!. The film was a cultural moment for urban youth and became a sleeper hit.
10. Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na (2008) – Rs 55.36 crore
Debutants:
Imran Khan
, Genelia D'Souza (Hindi lead debut)
A heartwarming tale of friendship and love, the film resonated with the youth and introduced Imran Khan as a relatable romantic hero.
11. Band Baaja Baaraat (2010) – Rs 17.1 crore
Debutant: Ranveer Singh
Ranveer Singh made an electrifying debut as Bittoo Sharma in this vibrant wedding-themed rom-com. His performance was widely praised and kickstarted a powerhouse career.
12. Pyaar Ka Punchnama (2011) – Rs 9 crore
Debutants:
Kartik Aaryan
, Divyendu Sharma and others
With its viral monologue and sharp comedy, this low-budget film became a surprise hit, launching Kartik Aaryan into the spotlight.
13. Vicky Donor (2012) – Rs 35 crore
Debutant: Ayushmann Khurrana
A bold and unconventional debut, Vicky Donor showcased Ayushmann's ability to blend comedy and emotion. His unique choices have since made him one of the most dependable stars of the era.
14. Student of the Year (2012) – Rs 70 crore
Debutants:
Varun Dhawan
, Alia Bhatt, Sidharth Malhotra
Karan Johar's glitzy campus drama introduced three future stars. Their performances, combined with the film's music and production value, made it a major commercial success.
15. Heropanti (2014) – Rs 53 crore
Debutants: Tiger Shroff, Kriti Sanon
Packed with action and romance, Heropanti established Tiger as the next-gen action star, while Kriti charmed audiences with her screen presence. Both actors now enjoy major fan followings.
16. Dhadak (2018) – Rs 74.19 crore
Debutants: Janhvi Kapoor, Ishaan Khattar
A remake of Sairat, Dhadak drew attention not just for its story but for Janhvi Kapoor's highly anticipated debut.
Despite criticism for softening the original's themes, it was a box office success.
17. Laila Majnu (2018) – Rs 11.50 crore
Debutants: Avinash Tiwary, Triptii Dimri
This modern retelling of the tragic love story earned critical acclaim. While it wasn't a major commercial hit, it brought attention to Triptii Dimri, who has since emerged as one of the most promising talents.
18. Laapataa Ladies (2024) – Rs 21.11 crore
Debutants: Nitanshi Goel, Sparsh Shrivastava, Pratibha Ranta
Kiran Rao's charming satire about rural India became a sleeper success.
With authentic performances and grounded storytelling, it helped launch three new faces with promise and potential.
19. Azaad ( 2024) ; Rs 6.35 crore
Debutant: Amaan Devgan, Rasha Thadani
While not widely remembered today, Azaad had a decent box office run, marking a modest debut for Aarya Babbar, though his career didn't quite take off afterward.
20. Saiyaara (2025) – Rs 153.25 crore (6-day total)
Debutants: Ahaan Panday, Aneet Padda
The latest and perhaps the most spectacular debut of all.
With ₹153.25 crore in just six days, Saiyaara has already out-earned most debut films in history. Directed by Mohit Suri, the film's emotional depth, music, and youthful leads have struck a chord with audiences across the country.
From modest Rs 2 crore indie romances to Rs 150 crore box office explosions, Bollywood's debut stories are as varied as the stars they introduce. Some films became iconic despite humble earnings, while others stormed into the history books with record-breaking numbers. What unites them all is the magic of a fresh face making a first impression — one that often defines the future of Hindi cinema.
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