Saiyaara Movie: Global Box Office Surpasses ₹555 Crore, USA Collections Soar, OTT Release Details for NRIs

August 19, 2025 | Mumbai, India

For Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) eager to connect with Bollywood’s latest sensation, Saiyaara, directed by Mohit Suri and produced by Yash Raj Films, has become a global blockbuster, grossing over ₹555.44 crore worldwide. Starring debutants Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, the film ranks as the second highest-grossing Hindi film of 2025, the second highest-grossing Indian film of the year, and the highest-grossing Indian romantic film ever. With significant contributions from the USA and other international markets, NRIs are keenly awaiting its OTT release. Here’s a comprehensive look at Saiyaara’s box office performance, including its USA collections, and the latest OTT release details.

Blockbuster Box Office Performance: Global and USA

Since its theatrical release on July 18, 2025, Saiyaara has rewritten box office records. The film opened with ₹28.75 crore (US$3.4 million) worldwide on its first day, setting a record for the highest opening for a Hindi film featuring a debutant male lead. Its opening weekend was exceptional, earning ₹83 crore net (US$10 million) in India and ₹119 crore (US$14 million) globally, with urban multiplexes in India and key international markets driving its success.

By the end of its first week, Saiyaara had collected ₹172.5–175.25 crore net (US$20–21 million) in India and ₹250.5 crore (US$30 million) worldwide, surpassing Mohit Suri’s previous record-holder, Ek Villain. On its ninth day (July 26, 2025), it entered the ₹200 crore club domestically with ₹15.3 crore, making it the second-fastest Hindi film of 2025 to reach this milestone.

The film’s second weekend saw a remarkable 300% growth in some international territories, pushing the global gross to ₹375 crore in just 10 days. By day 11, it had amassed ₹250 crore net in India and ₹76.5 crore (US$8.9 million) overseas. As of August 18, 2025, Saiyaara’s domestic net collection reached ₹323.7 crore, with a global gross of ₹555.44 crore by its fifth week, outperforming major releases like Shah Rukh Khan’s Chennai Express (₹227 crore lifetime domestic), Salman Khan’s Sikandar (₹110 crore), and Hrithik Roshan’s War (₹471 crore).

USA Box Office Collections

In North America, Saiyaara has achieved a historic milestone, becoming the first Indian romantic film to gross US$6 million (₹52.17 crore) at the USA and Canada box office. This figure, reported as of August 19, 2025, highlights the film’s strong appeal among the NRI diaspora, particularly in urban centers like New York, Los Angeles, and Toronto. The film’s North American performance has been a key contributor to its overseas gross of ₹155.14 crore (US$18 million), with the USA alone accounting for a significant portion. The film’s emotional storytelling and chart-topping soundtrack have resonated with NRI audiences, driving consistent theater attendance despite a limited release of 8,000 screenings globally, far fewer than the typical 18,000 for major releases.

Saiyaara’s USA success is notable for its organic growth, fueled by word-of-mouth and minimal promotional efforts. The film’s opening weekend in North America grossed US$664,000, contributing to its global weekend tally of US$11.9 million, ranking it ninth on the worldwide box office chart per Comscore. By its fourth week, the film’s steady performance in the USA helped it surpass lifetime collections of films like Dunki (₹454 crore) and War (₹471 crore) globally.

With a production budget of ₹60 crore, Saiyaara has delivered a staggering 6.6x return on investment, making it the most profitable Bollywood film of 2025. It is now just 28 crore away from overtaking The Kerala Story (694% ROI) as the most profitable Bollywood film in recent years, though its daily collections have slowed below ₹1 crore, suggesting this target may be challenging.

Why Saiyaara Resonates with NRIs

Loosely based on the 2004 Korean film A Moment to Remember, Saiyaara follows Krish Kapoor (Ahaan Panday), a troubled musician, and Vaani Batra (Aneet Padda), a shy poet battling early-onset Alzheimer’s. Their love story, intertwined with a soulful soundtrack featuring seven songs by composers like Mithoon, Sachet-Parampara, Tanishk Bagchi, and Vishal Mishra, has captivated audiences worldwide. The title track, which became the first Indian song to top Spotify’s Global Chart, has particularly struck a chord with NRIs, evoking nostalgia and emotional connection to Indian cinema.

Critics have praised the debutants’ performances, with Vineeta Kumar of India Today giving the film 3.5/5 stars, noting, “It’s entertaining, emotional, and musical—a cinematic piece where the flaws are visible,but so is the heart.” The film’s ability to connect with youth and tier-2/tier-3 audiences, combined with its viral presence on YouTube and X, has amplified its appeal among NRIs. Posts on X highlight fans’ emotional reactions, with one user stating, “Both Ahaan and Aneet gave their soul to Saiyaara… True love does excel towards the existing memories.”

OTT Release Details for NRIs

As Saiyaara continues its theatrical run, NRIs are eagerly anticipating its OTT release to stream this blockbuster from abroad. According to a report by Indian Express, Yash Raj Films’ casting director Shanoo Sharma announced via Instagram that Saiyaara will premiere on Netflix starting September 12, 2025, making it accessible to NRIs worldwide. This aligns with the typical 6–8 week window for major Bollywood films to transition from theaters to digital platforms. However, a News18 report suggests that Yash Raj Films is negotiating with Netflix to potentially delay the OTT release to Diwali (late October 2025) to maximize theatrical profits, given the film’s sustained box office performance and lack of major competing Hindi releases.

Netflix’s global reach makes it an ideal platform for NRIs, especially in key markets like the USA, UK, and Gulf, where the film has performed strongly. The film’s viral online buzz, driven by its soundtrack and emotional reels, ensures a robust digital rollout. NRIs can prepare for the OTT release by:

• Subscribing to Netflix: Ensure an active subscription to stream Saiyaara on September 12, 2025, or later if the release is postponed.
• Monitoring Official Updates: Follow Yash Raj Films’ social media (@yrf on Instagram and X) and Netflix’s announcements for any changes to the release date.
• Engaging with the Soundtrack: Stream the chart-topping title track and other songs on Spotify, YouTube, or JioSaavn to stay connected to the film’s emotional core.

Opportunities for NRIs

Saiyaara offers NRIs a cultural and investment opportunity:

• Cultural Connection: The film’s universal themes of love, loss, and resilience provide NRIs with a nostalgic link to Indian storytelling, making it a must-watch for the diaspora.
• Investment Potential: With a 638% ROI, Saiyaara underscores Yash Raj Films’ profitability. NRIs interested in entertainment investments can explore Bollywood stocks or production partnerships.
• Community Engagement: Join fan discussions on X or Reddit to share reactions and connect with other NRIs, fostering a sense of community around the film.

A Landmark for Bollywood Romances

Saiyaara has redefined the romantic drama genre, proving that fresh faces and a heartfelt story can outperform star-driven blockbusters. Its global gross of ₹555.44 crore, including US$6 million in the USA, and its record-breaking achievements make it a landmark film of 2025. For NRIs, the confirmed Netflix release on September 12, 2025, offers an accessible way to experience this cinematic gem, though a potential delay to Diwali could extend its theatrical run.

Stay tuned to NRIGlobe for updates on Saiyaara’s OTT release, USA box office performance, and more Bollywood news tailored for the NRI community!