Mohit Suri Reveals People Blackmailed Him Before Saiyaara’s Release
In a revealing chat with Faridoon Shahryar on YouTube, Suri discussed the industry’s harsh reaction to his previous film. He shared, “A couple of them called me also, saying, ‘We are going to write a bad review unless you…’ I’m like, ‘Write it, I won’t read it’. I’ll make a film, you have a right to watch it or not watch it. Same way, you make your content, I won’t read it.” He recalled that even some friends went so far as to try and blackmail him for positive coverage.
Suri also spoke about the intense audience reactions to Saiyaara, with fans fainting, screaming, and cheering during screenings. On this, he said, “It’s difficult to ‘lie’ about having a physical reaction to a film. My mentor Mahesh Bhatt always told me to aim for that. You can lie in a review, but not about what you feel in the moment.” His distrust of reviews is not new; he explained that he now deletes his social media ahead of every release to avoid bias, pointing out, “I stay away because I don’t know which one is genuine and which one is not. Some of them are my friends, and I know that they charge money for it.”
Interestingly, Saiyaara originated from plans for Aashiqui 3, but creative differences led Suri to pivot the project. He credited Aditya Chopra of Yash Raj Films for encouraging him to cast newcomers and turn it into a fresh story. “Aditya not only believed in me but pushed me to make Saiyaara with fresh faces,” Suri revealed.
The gamble clearly paid off, as Saiyaara has silenced critics, launched promising actors, and reaffirmed Suri’s standing, proving that the genuine connection between a film and its audience can outweigh any press coverage
Also Read: Dhun: Arijit Singh’s Voice Shines in Saiyaara’s Romantic Track
