No interviews, no promotions for Saiyaara's Aneet Padda and Ahaan Panday. YRF explains why

Economic Times

3 days ago

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About Saiyaara
Saiyaara has turned out to be a box office juggernaut no one saw coming. Released just 11 days ago, this romantic drama starring debutants Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda has smashed expectations, soaring past the Rs 400 crore mark worldwide. That makes it the highest-grossing love story of the year so far, even eclipsing giants like Kabir Singh (Rs 379 crore) and Sitaare Zameen Par (Rs 264 crore). For a film led by newcomers, that's nothing short of remarkable. The movie has achieved milestones, despite no interviews or promotional activities by the debutant actors- Aneet Padda and Ahaan Panday.YRF took a huge risk with its marketing. In an interview with ANI, Akshaye Widhani, the producer of YRF, shared the promotion strategy of Saiyaara. He said that the studio chose to keep the lead pair completely out of the spotlight before release—no interviews, no social media blitz, no typical promotions. Widhani revealed that the idea was locked early on. 'We had full confidence in Mohit", and he further added that they did not want the actors to be judged based on Instagram reels or media appearances. Instead, they wanted the audience to experience the actors for the first time on the big screen. The approach was unconventional—and risky—but it worked. Today, the numbers speak louder than any press tour could.Directed by Mohit Suri, the film follows the story of Krish Kapoor, a troubled musician, and Vaani Batra, a shy poet, whose paths intertwine in unexpectedly tender ways. Featuring fresh faces Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, the film released on 18 July 2025 and quickly won over audiences and critics alike, earning praise for its heartfelt performances, direction, and evocative music.The story behind Saiyaara's success is almost as cinematic as the film itself. It all began with a chance meeting at a temple between YRF's creative producer Sumana Ghosh and director Mohit Suri. That brief interaction set the wheels in motion. Once the script came in, the studio instantly knew they had something special. For Yash Raj Films, known for crafting timeless love stories, this felt like the perfect fit. They were clear from the start—they wanted to back a soulful romance, and Saiyaara delivered just that.