Akshay Kumar Says Aneet Padda, Ahaan Panday Were 'Lucky' That Saiyaara 'Took Off'

What

makes a film work at the box office has become one of the most debated questions in Bollywood. While some filmmakers and actors believe that only large-scale spectacles, franchise films and multi-starrers can attract audiences to theatres, Akshay Kumar has a different perspective. The actor recently shared his thoughts on theatrical success and pointed to Saiyaara as an example of how a simple romantic film can become a major blockbuster without relying on grand events or massive star power. A

Akshay Kumar talks about Saiyaara

During an interaction with IANS, Akshay Kumar was asked about the ongoing debate regarding the kinds of films that perform well in theatres. Responding to the question, Akshay said that no fixed formula guarantees success at the box office. "If it is in the destiny of the film, it runs successfully one way or the other," the actor said.He then cited the example of Saiyaara, which emerged as one of the biggest surprises at the box office. Akshay tried to recall the film's name during the conversation. After director Ahmed Khan reminded him of the title, Akshay continued, "Yes, Saiyaara. Which event did the film have? I want to ask, what event did the film have? There was no event." The actor further explained that the film's music and romance connected deeply with audiences. The boy and the girl (Ahaan and Aneet) performed well and they were lucky that the film took off," he added.

More about Saiyaara

Saiyaara, directed by Mohit Suri and produced by Yash Raj Films, featured newcomers Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda in the lead roles. Despite the absence of established stars, the film managed to create tremendous buzz among audiences, especially young viewers. The romantic drama became a major talking point due to its emotional storyline, soulful soundtrack and fresh pairing. Several songs from the film turned into chartbusters, helping the film build momentum even before its theatrical release. The plot of the film revolved around a singer who falls for a writer. However, he struggles to help her and keep their relationship alive after she suffers from early onset Alzheimer's.Audiences particularly connected with the chemistry between Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, who are coming back with a new film, also directed by Mohit Suri. Saiyaara went on to become the highest-grossing Indian romantic film of all time. It also emerged as the third highest-grossing Hindi film of 2025, making it one of the year's biggest commercial successes.