Bollywood in 2025 is witnessing one of its most heated clashes in recent years: the meteoric success of Saiyaara and the heightened expectations around Aashiqui 3, starring Kartik Aaryan. Our reaction and analysis to this rivalry, which has gripped both audiences and the Hindi film industry.
Saiyaara: A Record-Breaking Debut
Saiyaara, directed by Mohit Suri and starring newcomers Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, has quickly become a cinematic sensation. The film generated enormous hype from North to South India, even overshadowing upcoming big-budget films and causing significant scheduling reshuffles. With some theaters selling nearly 500 tickets online in a single hour and offline demand untrackable, “Saiyaara fever” is reminiscent of the mania last seen with films like Animal.
The music, composed by Mohit Suri, has been especially praised, fueling a feeling that old Bollywood magic has returned. Public reaction has pushed Saiyaara to the top of the box office, with the film poised to become the all-time highest-grossing debut for new actors. Operating on a budget of ₹60 crores, the film nearly recovered its entire budget within just two days and is on track for a blockbuster run, expected to cross the ₹100 crore mark soon.
Aashiqui 3: Kartik Aaryan Faces a Tough Challenge
Aashiqui 3, starring Kartik Aaryan and Sreeleela, directed by Anurag Basu, was anticipated to dominate the 2025 Diwali box office. However, the unexpected early success of Saiyaara has created fresh hurdles. The film has yet to officially confirm its title, and there are rumors that its production may not finish in time for a Diwali release, potentially pushing its launch to Valentine’s Day 2026.
There’s concern that if Aashiqui 3 doesn’t capitalize on its iconic franchise branding, it could lose up to half of its box office earnings. The leaked clips and photos so far suggest a simple musical drama similar to earlier films in the series. However, unless it brings something new—comparable to the suspenseful twist in Saiyaara—it may struggle to capture the audience’s hearts in the same way. Simply relying on music is not enough anymore; the audience demands more, especially emotional depth and plot twists.
The Saiyaara Effect: Redefining Expectations
Viewers went to see Saiyaara expecting a traditional love story but were instead gripped by the film’s dramatic twists and emotionally charged storytelling. The famous line “I love you Mahesh” became a cultural talking point, breaking and winning hearts simultaneously. Mohit Suri’s innovative blend of suspense and romance has set a new benchmark, and now anything following in this genre—most notably Aashiqui 3—will be judged against it.
Both Anurag Basu and Mohit Suri are known for their excellent music sensibilities, and their soundtracks often gain more popularity than the films themselves. But with competition now stiffer, Aashiqui 3 will have to go “extra perfect” in every department.
The Road Ahead for Kartik Aaryan
Kartik Aaryan’s past ability to silence critics and win audiences over is well known. His previous film Akaash Vani showed his emotional depth, suggesting that he has the talent to match or surpass the bar set by Saiyaara. But the real test will be whether he and his team can deliver the musical, emotional, and narrative punch required in this new competitive landscape.
The Audience’s Role
If you’ve watched Saiyaara, do you believe Aashiqui 3 can break its records? Will it deliver on music, content, and emotional impact? The onus is on filmmakers to surprise and move audiences, as the public’s expectations have been permanently raised.