Saiyaara's Surprise Success: Mohit Suri's Romantic Drama Earns ₹328.5 Crore, Defying 'War 2' and 'Coolie' Blockbuster Competition

Mohit Suri’s romantic-drama Saiyaara, starring fresh faces Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, continues to script an impressive box office story despite facing competition from two of the biggest films of the year Rajinikanth and Lokesh Kanagaraj’s Coolie and the Hrithik Roshan-Jr. NTR starrer War 2. While the spotlight has been firmly on these two mammoth blockbusters, Saiyaara has quietly added Rs 5.9 crore to its kitty in the last 14 days.Released earlier in July , the film surprised trade circles with its strong opening weekend and positive word of mouth. What initially seemed like a youthful niche romance gradually transformed into a sleeper hit, thanks to Suri’s blend of music, high drama, and acting talent of two newcomers. Even with the arrival of Coolie and War 2, two mega-masala entertainers backed by formidable star power, Saiyaara has managed to retain a steady flow of footfalls, particularly in metros and select Tier-2 cities.In its post-Coolie and War 2 phase, the film grossed close to Rs 6 crore, taking its lifetime total to Rs 328.5 crore. Trade trackers note that this performance is commendable given the sheer screen crunch and reduced show counts it faced. Multiplex audiences, especially the younger demographic, continue to find resonance with the film’s story and music, which has become a chartbuster on streaming platforms.The film is expected to close its theatrical run with Rs 330 crore collection. Meanwhile, the two heavyweights dominating the box office are rewriting records. War 2, directed by Ayan Mukerji and featuring Hrithik Roshan alongside Jr. NTR has collected a massive Rs 229.75 crore in 14 days. The action spectacle has set new benchmarks for the Hindi film industry with its pan-India appeal and strong overseas run. On the other hand, Coolie has emerged as a juggernaut in the South and North markets alike, amassing Rs 268.75 crore in the same period. Rajinikanth’s charisma combined with Lokesh Kanagaraj’s action-heavy storytelling has made it the film to beat at the ticket counters.Both films are not expected to break Saiyaara’s box office collection as their collections have dipped post the first weekend.As the box office juggernaut continues to be dominated by Coolie and War 2, the resilience of Saiyaara serves as a reminder that smaller films, when backed by strong storytelling and music, can thrive and sustain alongside blockbusters.