Saiyaara debuted in theatres in July of this year. The movie broke numerous records and became an immediate box office success. Social media was awash with praise for the film's plot and the main actors' chemistry.

The scene where Aneet Padda's character Vaani attempts to cheer up Ahaan Panday's character Krrish following a fight with his father by mimicking cricketer Virat Kohli's signature shot was particularly noteworthy.

Why Ahaan Panday Keeping it Raw and Real?

Talking about filming that scene, Ahaan told The Hollywood Reporter, "For the character, I had to tap into things before. During the audition process, we'd always create the scenes, so when I was on set, I just let go of everything. I had to let go of the habit of directing myself. I completely surrendered and submitted to sir."

He also said, "I didn't plan anything-we'd just learn the lines on the way because we wanted it to be raw and real. We'd learn about 80 per cent of the lines, because we didn't want it to be mechanical. Some days I felt I had to rehearse, but the greatest thing was Mohit sir trusted us so much. There were times we went completely off-key, and he worked his magic; other times he simply believed these two kids could pull it off."

Bollywood Films That Paid Tribute to Cricket

The film’s Virat Kohli inspired moment joins a long list of Bollywood films that have paid homage to cricket, from Lagaan and Iqbal to MS Dhoni, The Untold Story. These tributes not only highlight the sport’s cultural importance but also create emotional ringing with Indian audiences.

Saiyaara’s Success at the Box Office

Aneet plays Vaani Batra, a young writer with early onset Alzheimer's disease, and debutant Ahaan plays Krish Kapoor, a struggling musician, in the movie Saiyaara. Positive reviews were given to the film's soundtrack, Mohit Suri's directing, and Ahaan and Aneet's performances when it debuted in theatres on July 18, 2025.

With over Rs 500 crore in global revenue, Saiyaara was also a huge commercial success.