Does Saiyaara's opening day number prove that good music, especially in a love story will always be a crucial factor in Hindi cinema to attract the audience? Let's explore

Time of India

18-07-2025

Mohit Suri
's directorial 'Saiyaara' has sprung up a huge surprise at the box office. The film has already made a double digit number on day 1. Till friday evening the collection was around Rs 14.07 crore.
If there's growth in the night shows, it may end up crossing Rs 20 crore on day 1 which is a huge number for a film with debutants. It marks the debut of
Ahaan Panday
and
Aneet Padda
. The audience is getting to see a hardcore, young love story after a while and that's perhaps what has worked in its favour. However, even good music has played a huge role in attracting the audience. The title track of the film was a earworm already and somehow the audience felt nostalgic and went back to the era of
Emraan Hashmi
movies and '
Aashiqui 2
'.
So, does this success re-instate that good music is essential? ETimes discusses it with experts.
Music is essential to Hindi cinema irrespective of the genre
Speaking about the importance of good music, trade expert Taran Adarsh recalls the time when 'Choli Ke Peeche' from 'Khalnayak' was a hit. He told ETimes, "Sometimes we had movies minus the songs and it's important to have music. Many years ago, there was a film called 'Tezaab', it was a very important film. But Ek Do Teen created such a wave.
Khalnayak was such a big film but that one song 'Choli Ke Peeche' took it to another level.
So, never underestimate the power of good music. It takes the film to another level. Of course, the content matters eventually. But music can really add as a hook to attract the audience."
Producer and film expert, Girish Johar echoes this sentiment and says, "There is a very strong connection. Music is a very critical element especially in India, in making the audience excited to come to the theatres.
I don't remember any movie which has done at the box office and the songs are not hits. There are certain films where songs are added as background scores, but they do help to emotionally connect to the film.
It is one of the critical elements to the film."
Girish Wankhede says, "Music has always been the lifeblood of Indian cinema, serving as a powerful medium that enhances storytelling and resonates with audiences on an emotional level.
However, in recent years, there has been a noticeable shift in the landscape of Indian films, with a predominant focus on action-packed narratives and high-octane spectacles. Many of these films, including numerous dubbed versions, have sidelined music in favor of adrenaline-fueled sequences, leading to a decline in the musical richness that once defined Bollywood.
"
He added, "Enter 'Saiyaara,' a film that represents a refreshing return to the roots of Indian cinema, where music plays a pivotal role in the narrative.
Directed by Mohit Suri, known for his successful ventures in the musical genre with films like 'Aashiqui 2,' 'Murder 2,' and 'Ek Villain,' 'Saiyaara' showcases Suri's deep understanding of how music can elevate a film. His ability to weave melodies into the fabric of storytelling has garnered him a dedicated following, and with 'Saiyaara,' he appears poised to reignite the passion for music in cinema.
"
The overall package
Adarsh further added, that more than music, in case of 'Saiyaara', it's the film on the whole which has made a huge impact.
He said, "Music hamara core raha hai always. So, of course it's important. But such a love story which is so good was lacking in Hindi cinema. It was such a beautiful film. More than the numbers, I'm just happy with the way it made me feel. It stays with you for a long time and we haven't seen such a film in a while.
I think this is Mohit Suri's best film and I've seen all his films. Good music, youth factor, that freshness. I think it has all disappeared.
We're making masala films, we're making gangster movies, we're making larger than life films, VFX and whatnot. But the basic core, music, we have been forgetting. We are making love stories but this intense, young love story like this, had been lacking."
He added that one can't just see and forget such a movie and it stays with you for a long time. Adarsh said, "Every song is so seamlessly, you know, woven into the film. I'm just singing the title track ever since I've seen the film."
A great song with great picturisation is the key
Earlier, during a chat with ETimes, legendary music composer Viju Shah known for his music in 'Gupt', 'Mohra', 'Tridev' and other movies chose to also give credit to the film-maker. He said, "What I feel is, in 'Gupt', music didn't draw the public. It became popular after watching the film. People think the music of 'Gupt' was ahead of its time. At that point, I remember, we had gone for a show with Mr Bachchan, Farah Khan.
They heard the casette and they were numb and quiet. There was no response from everyone. I'm talking about July 97. People didn't understand the music of the film that time. For 'Gupt', I feel it's the picturisation which has taken the song to another level. I remember telling director Rajeev Rai, that he took the songs to another level."
A well-made love story with fresh faces and great music has always worked
One remembers the classic 'Aashiqui' which was a rage, because of its great music. It made
Rahul Roy
and Anu Agarwal into stars overnight. Then we saw that in even 'Aashiqui 2'. Though, both
Shraddha Kapoor
and
Aditya Roy Kapur
had done films before that, it was a love story like 'Aashiqui 2'.
While this year, we saw young, fresh faces, in movies like 'Loveyapa' or 'Azaad'. a well made love story with great music, good actors and the overall package was perhaps missing.
Lack of quintessential elements in Hindi cinema
While everyone agrees that the elements which made Hindi cinema what it is, have been lacking strongly, Wankhede added further, "Moreover, the rise of streaming platforms has contributed to a fragmentation of musical content, often prioritizing dialogue-driven narratives over the melodic storytelling that has long been a hallmark of Indian films. This shift has led to a scarcity of memorable soundtracks, leaving audiences yearning for the musical experiences that once characterized the cinematic landscape.
Saiyaara emerges as a case study in how a well-crafted soundtrack, combined with the freshness of new talent, can work wonders at the box office, drawing audiences back to theaters."