Tanishaa Mukerji Defends Saiyaara, Slams ‘Paid' Audience Claim: ‘This Is Bollywood Bashing'

News18

4 days ago

Tanishaa Mukerji reacted to claims that Saiyaara makers paid young people to cry and act emotional in theatres while watching the film. Here's what she said!
Saiyaara, starring debutants Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, has caused a stir at the box office, and has emerged as a surprise blockbuster. Saiyaara fever has gripped audiences across the country, especially Gen-Z, with emotional reactions flooding social media. Several videos of people crying and shouting inside the theatres while watching Saiyaara went viral on Instagram. Now, a podcast suggesting that these extreme reactions were planned by the filmmakers, caught the attention of actor Tanishaa Mukerji. She strongly responded to claims suggesting that the makers paid people to cry and act emotional in theatres, calling it yet another case of 'Bollywood bashing'. She defended the film, and stated that there is nothing wrong with people reacting to the film this way.
In The Asymmetric Crew podcast, Shantanu Deshpande raised questions about the viral frenzy surrounding Mohit Suri's Saiyaara. 'What's happening with this ridiculous Saiyaara movie. The producer of this movie, in my view, has paid ₹500 in dehadi to lots of these Gen-Z young folks to go into these theatres and put on emotional performances of crying… This is how the movie is getting promoted by the way. The whole world has now become a bunch of performers," he said. Kajol's sister Tanishaa Mukerji reacted to the viral reel, and slammed the claims. She defended the film, and wrote, 'Completely disagree. Times are changing and these people are stuck in the past. Love and appreciate the new. And honestly What rubbish is this man saying. Does he know anything for a fact. He is using the phenomenon of Saiyara to get views by talking negatively."
She further added, 'If people are reacting to a film what is so wrong about that. Just because he cannot relate doesn't mean the younger generation doesn't either. Every generation is different. This is india. We react. Go watch the film see how the audiences are moved. Then talk. This is just Bollywood bashing ! Brands just have to find new ways to connect to their audiences!"
Saiyaara has officially crossed Rs 250 crore net in India and over Rs 300 crore worldwide—making it one of the biggest sleeper hits of 2025. The film, directed by Mohit Suri, released in theatres on July 18.
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