Akshay Kumar: A film doesn't need big events to work, cites 'Saiyaara'
Synopsis
Akshay Kumar's casual aside about 'Saiyaara' — he initially forgot the film's name — carries a pointed message for Bollywood: the highest-grossing Indian romantic film of all time had no marquee event, no A-list stars, just songs and a love story. That's the kind of data point that quietly reshapes how the industry thinks about risk.
Key Takeaways
Akshay Kumar stated that a film does not need a major event to succeed theatrically, citing 'Saiyaara' as his example. 'Saiyaara' , directed by Mohit Suri and produced by Yash Raj Films , became the highest-grossing Indian romantic film of all time .
The film also ranked as the third highest-grossing Hindi film of 2025 , starring debutants Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda .
Kumar credited the film's success to its music and romantic tone, saying 'its songs worked, and the romance in the film worked.' The remarks came in response to views from actors like R Madhavan , who have argued that multi-starrers and larger-than-life films are the way forward. 'Saiyaara' is believed to be loosely based on the 2004 South Korean film 'A Moment to Remember' .
Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar has argued that a film need not be built around a major dramatic event to succeed at the box office, pointing to the runaway success of the romantic drama 'Saiyaara' as proof that simplicity and emotional resonance can outperform spectacle.
What Akshay Said
Speaking on the sidelines of a conversation about what drives theatrical success, Kumar challenged the view — held by peers including actor R Madhavan — that multi-starrers and larger-than-life productions are the surest route to cinema-hall relevance. 'If it is in the destiny of the film, it runs successfully one way or the other,' he said.
Citing 'Saiyaara', Kumar remarked, 'Which event did the film have? I want to ask, what event did the film have? There was no event. It's just that its songs worked, and the romance in the film worked. That caught on. The boy and the girl performed well and they were lucky that the film took off.'
The 'Saiyaara' Phenomenon
Directed by Mohit Suri and produced by Yash Raj Films, 'Saiyaara' stars debutants Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda. The film went on to become the third highest-grossing Hindi film of 2025 and, notably, the highest-grossing Indian romantic film of all time — a remarkable achievement for a project built around two newcomers. The film is believed to be loosely based on the 2004 South Korean film 'A Moment to Remember'.
The Broader Debate
Kumar's remarks come amid an ongoing industry conversation about what formulas deliver in a post-pandemic theatrical landscape. Senior voices have increasingly advocated for scale and star power, but 'Saiyaara''s performance has complicated that narrative. Notably, it was Ahmed Khan, director of 'Welcome To The Jungle' — who was present during the exchange — who reminded Kumar of the film's title when he momentarily forgot it, underscoring how organically the point landed.
What It Means for Bollywood
Kumar's position reflects a quiet but growing counter-argument in the Hindi film industry: that audiences, particularly younger ones, respond to emotional authenticity and music over event-driven plotting. 'Saiyaara''s record-breaking run suggests the romantic genre, long considered commercially risky without A-list stars, may be due for a reassessment. How producers and studios respond to this data point could shape greenlight decisions for the next crop of films.
Point of View
Yet it was a low-stakes romantic debut that broke the all-time record for the genre. The irony that Kumar momentarily forgot the film's name before making it his central argument only adds to the point — 'Saiyaara' succeeded without the usual machinery of hype. Whether producers draw the right lesson, or simply greenlight more low-budget romances without understanding what actually made this one work, will be the real test.
NationPress
28 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Akshay Kumar say about 'Saiyaara'?
Akshay Kumar said 'Saiyaara' proves a film doesn't need a major dramatic event to succeed at the box office. He credited the film's performance to its music and romantic tone, saying the songs and the chemistry between the lead pair resonated with audiences.
What records did 'Saiyaara' break?
'Saiyaara' became the highest-grossing Indian romantic film of all time and the third highest-grossing Hindi film of 2025. It achieved this with two debut actors, Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, in the lead roles.
Who directed and produced 'Saiyaara'?
'Saiyaara' was directed by Mohit Suri and produced by Yash Raj Films. It is believed to be loosely based on the 2004 South Korean film 'A Moment to Remember.'
What is the debate Akshay Kumar was responding to?
Kumar was responding to a broader industry discussion about what kinds of films work in theatres. Actor R Madhavan and others have argued that multi-starrers and larger-than-life productions are the formula for box-office success, a view Kumar pushed back on using 'Saiyaara' as a counter-example.
Who else was present when Akshay Kumar made these remarks?
Ahmed Khan, director of 'Welcome To The Jungle', was present during the conversation and reminded Kumar of 'Saiyaara's' title when he momentarily forgot it while making his point.
