Mahesh Babu's heartfelt shoutout for Saiyaara calls Ahaan and Aneet's performances 'effortless'. Says, 'This one deserves all the love'
Mohit Suri's Saiyaara is currently making waves. The romantic musical stars Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda. Telugu superstar Mahesh Babu praised the film. Other Bollywood celebrities also shared positive reviews. Saiyaara's box office numbers are impressive. The film is produced by Yash Raj Films. Netflix has acquired the digital rights. The OTT release date is awaited.
Agencies Mahesh Babu's glowing praise for Saiyaara has added star power to the debut film of Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda. The romantic musical, directed by Mohit Suri, has struck a chord with audiences and critics alike. In an industry where newcomers often struggle to make their presence felt, Saiyaara has emerged as a refreshing exception — one that's breaking norms, box office records, and expectations alike. The romantic musical, helmed by Mohit Suri and released in theatres on July 18, has not only struck a chord with audiences but also found a surprise admirer in Telugu superstar Mahesh Babu. Taking to social media, the actor shared a heartfelt endorsement of the film, calling it 'a beautifully made film with honest storytelling, standout performances, and top-notch execution.' Quoting his post from X (formerly Twitter), he wrote, 'Take a bow #Saiyaara team… Big love to #AhaanPanday & #AneetPadda for living their roles so effortlessly… This one deserves all the love coming its way.' The statement has added a new layer of credibility and excitement to what was already being celebrated as a promising debut for its lead stars. — urstrulyMahesh (@urstrulyMahesh)
At the centre of this cinematic wave is Ahaan Panday — nephew of actor Chunky Panday — who makes his big screen debut as Krish, a passionate singer with a turbulent past. Alongside him is Aneet Padda, playing Vaani, a character navigating heartbreak, renewal, and self-discovery. Together, they breathe life into a narrative that walks the fine line between emotional depth and youthful exuberance. Their on-screen chemistry, coupled with Mohit Suri's evocative direction, has turned Saiyaara into more than just a musical — it's a heartfelt journey of healing, ambition, and rediscovered love. The film follows Vaani as she tries to rebuild her life after being abandoned at the altar, only to cross paths with Krish, a musician nursing emotional wounds of his own. What unfolds is a tender story of connection, resilience, and the courage to love again. Beyond Mahesh Babu, industry voices have been vocal in their admiration. Alia Bhatt, Arjun Kapoor, Neha Dhupia, and Rasha Thadani have shared glowing tributes on social media, while actor Harshvardhan Rane called the film 'a melodious love story that shatters all formulas.' Even filmmaker Sandeep Reddy Vanga reportedly sent director Mohit Suri a personal message after watching the film.
According to Sacnilk, Saiyaara opened with an impressive ₹21 crore, followed by ₹24 crore on day two. With the weekend closing in, the film is projected to touch ₹73 crore — numbers that many seasoned stars would envy in today's challenging box office climate. Produced under the Yash Raj Films banner, the film has also secured a digital home with Netflix, although the OTT release date is yet to be confirmed. This move is expected to widen its reach, especially among young audiences resonating with its chart-topping music and modern emotional themes.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Mint
9 minutes ago
- Mint
Why Mohit Suri's ‘Saiyaara' is striking a nerve without saying too much
When 'Saiyaara' released on July 18, 2025 it quietly became one of the most talked‑about love stories of the year. Directed by Mohit Suri and produced by Yash Raj Films, the film stars newcomers Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda in their debut roles. Within just four days it had earned over ₹ 107 crore on a budget of around ₹ 45 crore, comfortably entering the top five highest‑grossing Hindi films of 2025 . Mohit Suri has long had a gift for romantic storytelling. From 'Aashiqui 2' to 'Malang' and 'Ek Villain', he has always combined romantic drama with haunting music. With 'Saiyaara', he seemed to sense the moment: audiences were tiring of action‑packed spectacles and looking for quieter emotional stories. He waited a few years before delivering another romantic musical; the timing appears perfect . Part of the excitement comes from the music. Songs like 'Saiyaara', 'Barbaad' and 'Dhun' were released weekly leading up to the premiere and each quickly became a hit. The soundtrack did more than add emotion—it drove it. Mohit Suri selected seven composers and four lyricists to craft tracks that blend into the story rather than interrupt it. Audiences crowded theatres, some even singing along during screenings, waving flashlights and cheering at key emotional moments—creating a community feeling that is rare these days. The performances of Ahaan Panday as Krish and Aneet Padda as Vaani are being hailed as effortless. Ahaan's presence is quietly intense, and Aneet's portrayal is balanced and layered. Their chemistry feels genuine—a mix of silences and unspoken longing that seems to resonate with audiences of all age groups. The film feels fresh in its emotional honesty, even if its basic narrative—a musician meets poet, love blooms, pain follows—is well trodden ground. The film is also receiving praise for choosing fresh faces and strong narrative over big names and marketing blitzes. Veteran director Subhash Ghai pointed to 'Saiyaara' as proof that a well-told story and thoughtful casting can triumph over expensive star vehicles. That sense of restraint extends to promotion as well: both lead actors did almost no interviews or media tours before the film came out, which seemed to only increase intrigue around their performances. At its core, 'Saiyaara' succeeds because it is not trying to shock or overwhelm. It tells a simple story of love, longing, music and loss, and leans into nostalgia for a style of film many feel has been neglected. Its music doesn't feel tacked on—it feels like it was written from inside the narrative. It can be said that the music served to push the emotional beats forward rather than break them. Of course, every film has its share of flaws - plot familiarity, occasional clunky dialogues and inconsistent pacing—yet most will agree that the emotional resonance and on‑screen chemistry keep the film alive even when the screenplay stumbles. What 'Saiyaara' shows is simple yet powerful: when a filmmaker senses the audience's mood and delivers a heartfelt emotional story backed by strong music and sincere acting, even a familiar tale can feel meaningful again. It proves that you don't need stars or fancy effects to draw people in—sometimes all you need is a song, a silence, and a story that whispers to your heart.
India Today
9 minutes ago
- India Today
I'd quit acting if I had steady income: Pawan Kalyan on balancing films, politics
Telugu superstar and Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan spoke about the tough balance between his film career and political life. He said that even before joining films, his true passion was always public service and bringing social about the balancing act in an exclusive conversation with Rajdeep Sardesai, consulting editor, India Today TV and anchor Akshita Nandgopal, Kalyan said, "For me, my priority and my heart will always lie with social transformational politics, even before I entered cinema. I've been a socially conscious person since childhood. Films came to me later. It's quite a tough job (managing both films and politics). The tough part is - you fight against your rivals, talk about public policy, and then suddenly go back to cinema and try to shake a leg or deliver dramatic lines. That's where I really struggle."advertisementHe admitted that while action sequences come naturally to him thanks to his martial arts background, other aspects of acting, like dance or melodrama, often feel awkward. "Sometimes I wonder whether I should have quit acting long ago. But my only financial source is cinema, so I think I have keep doing this," he explained. "For me, politics is a way of national service to me. It's not otherwise, it's a service to society. If I had enough money, if I had a continuous stream of income, I don't think I would do films. Because more than films, my passion is for the public and politics," he added. Pawan Kalyan will next be seen in the period action film 'Hari Hara Veera Mallu'. The movie was first directed by Krish Jagarlamudi, but due to some changes, Jyothi Krisna, son of producer AM Rathnam, has now taken over as by A Dayakar Rao and presented by AM Rathnam under the Mega Surya Production banner, the film stars Pawan Kalyan, Nidhhi Agerwal, Bobby Deol, Sathyaraj, and Nargis Fakhri. The music is by MM Keeravani, and the cinematography is handled by Gnana Sekhar and Manoj Paramahamsa.'Hari Hara Veera Mallu' is scheduled for release on July 24.- EndsMust Watch
Time of India
9 minutes ago
- Time of India
Saiyaara cast fees: Here's how much Ahaan Pandey and others earned
Saiyaara cast fees: The much-anticipated romantic drama Saiyaara, directed by Mohit Suri, hit cinemas on Friday, July 18 and has unexpectedly turned out to be a sleeper hit. Despite featuring newcomers like Ahaan Pandey and Aneet Padda, the film has taken the box office by storm and created a buzz across the country. Saiyaara: A Blockbuster Debut for Ahaan Pandey Saiyaara has turned Ahaan Pandey, cousin of Ananya Panday, into an overnight star. While this marks Ahaan's first appearance on the big screen, his performance has received widespread appreciation from both fans and critics. Aneet Padda, previously seen in Salaam Venky, also shines in what feels like her true debut. Directed by the renowned Mohit Suri, known for romantic hits like Awarapan, Aashiqui 2, Hamari Adhuri Kahani and Ek Villain, Saiyaara has successfully captured the hearts of audiences. Box Office Collection: Saiyaara's Soaring Success Produced with an estimated movie budget of Rs 35-40 crore, Saiyaara has delivered extraordinary results at the box office. It has registered the highest ever opening weekend for a film with newcomers, collecting around Rs 83 crore in just three days. Day 1 (Friday): Strong opening with high occupancy in theatres. Day 2 (Saturday): Collected Rs 25 crore, showing a steady growth. Day 3 (Sunday): Earned an impressive Rs 35.75 crore, thanks to positive word of mouth. Day 4 (Monday): A slight dip was expected, yet it managed to collect Rs 24 crore. Day 5 (Tuesday): Benefitted from lower ticket rates and increased footfall, raking in Rs 25 crore. Day 6 (Wednesday till afternoon): Collected Rs 9.22 crore, with expectations of crossing Rs 15-18 crore by the end of the day. According to early reports by Sacnilk, the total box office collection of Saiyaara has reached approximately Rs 141.47 crore, and it is expected to cross the Rs 150 crore milestone shortly. Star Cast Fees: How Much Were Ahaan Pandey and Others Paid? Although Yash Raj Films (YRF) has not officially disclosed the star cast fees, industry sources suggest that new actors in major productions typically receive between Rs 3 to Rs 5 crore, according to Financial Express and several other websites. Given Ahaan Pandey's strong industry connections—being the nephew of Chunky Panday and brother of Ananya Panday—he is reportedly paid more than co-star Aneet Padda. Even though there is no formal confirmation regarding the exact amounts, it's believed that the rising actor has signed a multi-film deal with the banner, hinting at a promising future. Mohit Suri's Directorial Fee Director Mohit Suri, known for making many successful Bollywood films, has reportedly charged Rs 6 to Rs 8 crore for directing Saiyaara. Given his established reputation and knack for delivering musical romantic hits, this figure seems well-deserved. His experience has clearly played a key role in elevating the film's overall impact and success. Saiyaara Sets a New Benchmark for Romantic Films With stunning performances, strong direction, and overwhelming box office numbers, Saiyaara is proving to be a game-changer for both its stars and director. The impressive movie budget, extraordinary box office collection, and attention around the star cast fees, especially for Ahaan Pandey, have made the film a talking point in the industry. For the latest and more interesting financial news, keep reading Indiatimes Worth. Click here.
