Not Ahaan Panday Or Aneet Padda, But THIS Real-Life Bollywood Couple Was 1st Choice For Saiyaara
Saiyaara has emerged as one of the biggest surprise blockbusters of the year, catapulting debutants Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda to instant stardom. The Mohit Suri-directed romantic drama has captivated audiences with its fresh pairing and soulful soundtrack. However, not many know that the film was originally planned with another Bollywood power couple.
According to a report by Scoopwhoop, real-life couple Sidharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani were the initial choices to headline Saiyaara. The duo had previously shared remarkable on-screen chemistry in Shershaah, which not only won hearts but also sparked their off-screen romance. The makers reportedly approached the couple before finalising Ahaan and Aneet, but the discussions did not materialise.
In a recent interview, director Mohit Suri shed more light on the casting process. He admitted he was considering a cast of established actors when producer Aditya Chopra intervened. Suri recalled Chopra saying, 'Your film won't work with known faces—it's a story of two youngsters. Let's cast fresh faces." When Suri asked who would take such a risk in today's box office climate, Chopra simply responded, 'I will." That leap of faith paid off handsomely.
Interestingly, Suri and Sidharth Malhotra have previously collaborated on the 2014 hit Ek Villain. The director is also known for frequently working with actors he trusts, including Emraan Hashmi, Shraddha Kapoor, and Aditya Roy Kapur. Given their successful history, Sidharth's association with Saiyaara seemed like a natural fit—until the fresh casting choice changed the game.
As for the film's performance, Saiyaara is breaking records at the box office. Within just 11 days, it has netted over Rs 250 crore in India. With strong word-of-mouth and steady footfalls, trade analysts expect the romantic drama to easily cross the Rs 300 crore mark by week's end. If it continues to hold against new releases like Son Of Sardaar 2 and Dhadak 2, Saiyaara could potentially end its theatrical run between Rs 375 crore and Rs 400 crore.
First Published:
July 29, 2025, 00:17 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.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
22 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Saiyaara Box Office Collection Day 15: Ahaan Panday-Aneet Padda's blockbuster braves competition, nears Rs 450 crore worldwide
Saiyaara Box Office Collection Day 15: No one expected two newcomers to make such a big impact on the box office, but that's exactly what Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda have done with Saiyaara. The film has been on a historic two-week run, raking in unprecedented numbers while overtaking massively successful blockbuster on the all-time leaderboard. However, what goes up must come down, and it seems that the Saiyaara Express is finally running out of steam. According to early estimates by industry tracker Sacnilk, the film earned Rs 4.25 crore on day 15 of its theatrical run, taking its India net collection to Rs 284.75 crore. The worldwide collection of the film has crossed the Rs 440 crore mark, and even though it just recorded its lowest single-day earnings yet, the film was a success the day it came out. During the past 15 days, the Mohit Suri directorial has overtaken the likes of Sandeep Reddy Vanga's Kabir Singh (Rs 278 cr), the Salman Khan-starrer Tiger 3 (Rs 276 cr), the Aamir Khan-Katrina Kaif-starrer Dhoom 3 (Rs 271 cr), and the Ranbir Kapoor-Alia Bhatt-starrer Brahmastra Part One (Rs 241 cr), just to name a few. Now the film is hot on the heels of the Prabhas-Deepika Padukone-starrer Kalki AD 2898 AD (Rs 293 cr) and Salman Khan's Sultan (Rs 300 cr). ALSO READ: Triptii Dimri and Siddhant Chaturvedi's Dhadak 2 seethes with the rage of filmmaker Shazia Iqbal The occupancy rates of Saiyaara averaged out at 19.42%, with the morning and afternoon shows achieving 11.89% and 19.15%. The evening and night shows did slightly better with 20.24% and 26.40%. While the numbers are much lower than what Saiyaara had been averaging previously, it will pass the Rs 300 crore mark this weekend. The collection is bound to go down as the days pass, but the film's performance has been more than just commendable. The last major debut of Bollywood was probably that of Ahaan's cousin, Ananya Panday, in Student of the Year 2, which earned Rs 70 crore net in India, a number that Saiyaara crossed in just three days. Shanaya Kapoor's recent debut alongside Vikrant Massey in Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan (Rs 1.77 cr) found itself drowning under the Saiyaara wave. Ajay Devgn had to delay the release of Son of Sardaar 2, just to avoid clashing with Saiyaara. Be it the new faces, the title track, or the several tactics applied by Suri and YRF, Saiyaara worked, and everyone involved with the project is now enjoying the fruits of their labour.
News18
25 minutes ago
- News18
Parking Movie Gets The Best Tamil Movie Award 71st National Film Awards 2023
சிறந்த தமிழ் படம் 'பார்க்கிங்' | சிறந்த தமிழ் படத்துக்கான தேசிய விருதுக்கு 'பார்க்கிங்' படம் தேர்வு Download our News18 Mobile App - SUBSCRIBE - Tamil Nadu 24/7 LIVE TV - Top Playlists――――――――――――――――――――――――――――― with Website: (Meta) - (X) - Channel - - Channel:News18 Tamil Nadu brings unbiased News & information to the Tamil viewers. Network 18 Group is presently the largest Television Network in India.யாருக்கும் சார்பில்லாமல், எதற்கும் தயக்கமில்லாமல், நடுநிலையாக மக்களின் மனசாட்சியாக இருந்து உண்மையை எதிரொலிக்கும் தமிழ்நாட்டின் முன்னணி தொலைக்காட்சி 'நியூஸ் 18 தமிழ்நாடு'For all the current affairs of Tamil Nadu and Indian politics in Tamil, National NewsLive, Headline News Live, Breaking News Live, Kollywood Cinema News, Tamil news Live, Sports News in Tamil, Business News in Tamil & Tamil viral videos and much more news in Tamil. Tamil news, Movie News in Tamil, Sports News in Tamil, Business News in Tamil & News in Tamil, Tamil videos, keep watching News18 Tamil Nadu.
News18
30 minutes ago
- News18
Rajesh Khanna, Dilip Kumar, Dev Anand: Stars Who Won Hearts But Not A National Award
Last Updated: Some of Bollywood's biggest legends never won a National Film Award despite delivering unforgettable performances. The 71st National Film Awards were announced on August 1 and it was a big moment for Shah Rukh Khan fans. After 33 years in the industry, SRK finally won his first National Film Award for Best Actor for his powerful role in Jawan. Atlee's film Jawan featured Shah Rukh Khan in a dual role and his performance in both characters won widespread praise from audiences. His win has made headlines, but it also brings attention to some other legendary actors who, surprisingly, never received this prestigious honour. Here is a look at some iconic stars who ruled hearts and box offices but never won a National Award. Rajesh Khanna: Often called Bollywood's first superstar, Rajesh Khanna gave us unforgettable films like Anand, Haathi Mere Saathi and Kora Kagaz. Despite his stardom and long list of hit movies, he was never honoured with a National Award, which many still find hard to believe. Sunil Dutt: Known for his intense and meaningful roles, Sunil Dutt delivered classics like Mother India, Milan and Mujhe Jeene Do. His acting and contribution to Indian cinema were remarkable, yet he too never received a National Award during his lifetime. Dilip Kumar: The legendary Dilip Kumar, often referred to as the 'Tragedy King', is still remembered for his outstanding performances in films like Mughal-E-Azam, Ganga Jamuna and Naya Daur. He passed away in 2021 at the age of 98, but shockingly, he never won a National Award. Even so, his legacy and the admiration he received from fans are unmatched. Dharmendra: Dharmendra was a massive crowd-puller, known for his charming screen presence and action-packed roles in movies like Sholay, Chupke Chupke and Satyakam. While he won many hearts, the National Film Awards jury never recognised his talent officially. Dev Anand: Dev Anand With hits like Guide, Jewel Thief and Hum Dono, Dev Anand became a style icon and one of the most beloved actors of his time. Despite being multi-talented and giving some of Indian cinema's best films, he too missed out on a National Award. These stars have played an unforgettable role in shaping Indian cinema. Their films continue to inspire, entertain and touch lives, even without the National Award tag. First Published: 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.
