If recent box office trends are anything to go by, Mohit Suri’s Saiyaara can be described as something that came out of the syllabus. Headlined by newcomers Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, the film has amassed an opening collection of Rs 21.25 crore, becoming one of the biggest openers of 2025 so far. It has also registered the biggest opening for a Bollywood film starring newcomers. It’s being talked about because it challenges the notion that romance is dead on the big screen, and that you need a star to open a film big.

But did anyone see this coming? mid-day asks trade experts. Bihar-based exhibitor and trade observer Vishek Chauhan says people who had their ears to the ground, did. “We got the first indication when Laila Majnu [2018] re-released and did tremendous business, followed by re-releases of Rockstar [2011] and Veer Zaara [2004] in 2024. When Sanam Teri Kasam [2016] re-released, it blew the lid. With their attendance, the audience told makers that they wanted more intense romantic films with solid music,” he explains, adding that it’s the youth who has championed the film. “Saiyaara is being pushed and patronised by Gen Z. If the youth is not interested in your film, it cannot have a big opening. Since Saturday, calls have been pouring in from the family audience. It is breaking out in a different demographic now,” he says.

“Shah Rukh [Khan] started his career [with romance]. For me, he is my hero. But for this generation, he doesn’t have the same impact. He is either Vikram Rathod or Pathaan [his characters in Jawan and Pathaan, 2023]. Ranbir Kapoor gave his generation many romantic films — Rockstar, Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani [2013], and Tamasha [2015]. Sadly, this generation did not have one, until Saiyaara,” he adds.