Saiyaara crosses Dh5.8 million in UAE and a whopping Rs2.5 billion in India: Ahaan Panday's cracking debut rides high on curiosity and emotions

Dubai: Mohit Suri’s romantic drama Saiyaara, starring newcomers Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, has turned into one of the year’s biggest talking points – both at home and abroad. The pair is now being hailed as Bollywood's darlings of the box-office circuit.

UAE numbers: Dh5.8 million with 120,000 admissions

For instance, in the UAE alone the film is performing well internationally too. In the UAE alone, Saiyaara has amassed Dh5,814,111, with 120,161 tickets sold since release eight days ago. This translates to roughly Rs130 million from the Gulf region, powered largely by a strong South Asian diaspora audience.

Critics vs crowds: two different stories

The movie has evoked largely positive reactions, while some weren't as sold on the whole idea. In Gulf News review, Entertainment Editor Manjusha Radhakrishnan gave it 2.5 stars.

“Watching Saiyaara feels like being a kindly high school teacher grading your students’ drama project — you want to applaud the effort, you really do, but the performance? Let’s just say it’s more ‘bless them’ than ‘bravo.’”

And yet, in a classic example of box office over reviews, audiences – especially Gen Z viewers – seem to have embraced the story of doomed love, misty backdrops, and soulful tracks.

What’s driving the success?

• Debut curiosity: Ahaan Panday, part of the high-profile Panday family, has drawn Bollywood-watchers eager to see how he fares.

• Music & marketing: While the songs may not match the haunting heights of Aashiqui 2, tracks like Dhun have connected with young audiences, amplified by heavy social media promotion.

• Emotional escapism: The blend of tragedy, romance, and aspirational aesthetics has found resonance with young couples and students.

What next?

With its strong showing in India and the UAE, Saiyaara looks set to continue its theatrical run through the coming weeks. The big question now: Can it maintain momentum and push toward the Rs3billion milestone?
Saiyaara has divided opinion – it may have earned a A or a B from reviewers, but at the box office, it’s turning into an A+ commercial win.