Exclusive: Saiyaara producer reacts to viral clips of fans fainting, crying
Mohit Suri’s ‘Saiyaara’ has taken the box office by storm, emerging as the sleeper hit of 2025. The film is on a record-breaking run and is already being hailed as one of the most successful love stories of all time. But beyond its commercial triumph, ‘Saiyaara’ has also sparked a frenzy online, with viral Instagram Reels showing audience members fainting, crying uncontrollably, and even hooked to IV drips after watching the film.
Amid growing speculation about whether these intense reactions were part of a planned promotional campaign, the film’s producer and YRF CEO Akshaye Widhani, has now addressed the buzz. Setting the record straight, Widhani clarified that the videos circulating online are not part of any PR or marketing strategy initiated by the makers.
Dismissing claims that the emotionally charged clips were orchestrated for publicity, Akshaye Widhani told India Today that “none of those people were planted in theatres.”
He added, “Whether it’s the person on a drip, the one yelling at the screen, or the guy who took off his shirt and danced – these are genuine fans reacting with real emotions. It’s funny when you start receiving calls from people telling you how much they cried, and you’re actually thanking them for it. You find yourself saying, ‘We’re happy you cried,’ because that’s the kind of emotional connection Mohit has managed to create after so long. This experience of going to the cinema and feeling something so deeply – I honestly can’t remember the last time it happened.”
During the same interview with us, director Mohit Suri expressed gratitude for the film’s reception. Talking about the barrage of calls he received after the film’s release, the director said, “Everyone has been calling, and what’s really amazing is that I’ve worked on films before where only a section of people connected with it – some liked it, some didn’t. But with this one, the response has come from across the board.
Suri added, “Directors, filmmakers, actors – everyone has been reaching out. And for the first time, it feels genuinely heartfelt. Usually, even when a film does well, you can tell when people are just being polite. But this time, there’s been a sincere sense of love and support, which has been incredibly encouraging. It feels like ‘Saiyaara’ has given people a voice they were waiting to express. For me personally, the most meaningful moment has been when Akshay calls to share the box office figures – it’s been truly heartening.”
The emotional drama, with soul-stirring music and standout performances by Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, has become the second-highest-grossing film of the year. Within just 12 days, it raked in more than Rs 265 crore in India and surpassed Rs 400 crore globally.
