Saiyaara has seen unprecedented success at the box office since its release on July 17. After it came out, fan videos went viral where they are seen bawling, crying and reacting to it in extreme ways. Now, actor Varun Badola, who played the role of Ahaan Panday’s father in the musical, has said that the makers went overboard while promoting the film.  

In an interview with Screen, Varun explained, “When we were working on the film, we hadn’t thought it would get so big; everyone must have thought that the film should at least earn what had gone behind producing it. But on the third day of the release, when the film blew up at the box office, we realized it had gone big. I still haven’t watched Saiyaara.”

Contrary to what director Mohit Suri claimed in an earlier interview that the film’s reception was organic, Varun said that the "promotions" were overboard. “By the third or fourth day, the film was being talked about. I saw the euphoria on Instagram. I think the promotions team went a little overboard there, where people are going to see the film, putting IV drips. Those people must have been told to give content in some way; thank god, people didn’t get their legs broken and went crawling to see the film,” he said.

He added, “We understand promoting the film, but it’s good only up to a certain level. However, the film cannot earn so much money just based on Instagram promotions. People have gone and seen the film, and they have loved it.”

In an interview with Zoom, Mohit said, “We have tried to be honest all through this film. People think the viral theatre videos were created, but we have not done that."

Saiyaara has crossed Rs 500 crore at the box office worldwide and Rs 300 crore in India.