How Mohit Suri Discovered ‘Saiyaara’ Was a Hit on Set
Synopsis
Filmmaker Mohit Suri shares an intriguing tale of how the song ‘Saiyaara’ became an unexpected hit during filming, as even junior artists joined in singing. This revelation highlights the organic connection between music and audience engagement.
Key Takeaways
Audience Engagement: The spontaneous singing by junior artists indicated the song's resonance.
Efficiency in Filmmaking: Suri's approach favored using a single set for multiple sequences.
Storytelling Focus: Constraints often lead to a deeper focus on narrative.
Commercial Success: 'Saiyaara' became a record-breaking romantic film.
Chart-Topping Soundtrack: The music from 'Saiyaara' gained significant popularity.
Mumbai, March 27 (NationPress) Director Mohit Suri recently recounted the moment he realized that ‘Saiyaara’ had resonated with audiences, sharing how the song transformed into a sensation on set when even junior artists began to sing along during filming.
Suri appeared on Pooja Bhatt’s podcast, discussing the unanticipated viral success of the soundtrack from his romantic film “Saiyaara,” featuring Ahan Panday and Aneet Padda.
During the podcast, Suri remarked: “To be honest, there were elements I didn’t want to focus on. For instance, there was a significant tree on the set, and the extensive VFX team at YRF kept inquiring about it. I simply told them it was inconsequential.”
He also noted that multiple song sequences were filmed on a single, reused set, emphasizing his inclination towards efficiency rather than grandiosity.
“You may not know this, but all the song sets were actually one set. I reused it… The crowd could only come for one day; it wasn’t available every day. With a crowd of 500, I realized it would divert my focus from the emotions,” Suri explained.
He further elaborated: “I decided to call in 100 people on one day to capture only the emotional scenes. Once I felt satisfied, I was ready to bring in the crowd.”
Reflecting on his earlier experiences at Vishesh Films, Suri noted that constraints often compelled creators to prioritize storytelling over scale.
He shared: “I had to revert to the Vishesh Films approach. If you want to infuse it with all the money, it’s impossible.”
During the discussion, Pooja highlighted a memorable moment when the crowd naturally began to sing along, calling it a remarkable cinematic high. Suri concurred, expressing that it took him by surprise.
“The ironic part is that they are often reserved about their songs, yet suddenly, the entire crowd is singing along….”
“That was a wonderful feeling because I witnessed people singing; typically, junior artists show little interest, and then you realize they are engaged, and you think…” Suri added, mentioning that he even suggested pausing the track mid-scene to let the crowd take over.
“I told Vijay to stop the music and let the crowd sing… that was the best indicator that the song had become a hit…”
‘Saiyaara’ premiered in theaters in 2025. It achieved significant commercial success, ranking as the third highest-grossing Hindi film of 2025 and the all-time highest-grossing Indian romantic film.
The film’s soundtrack was especially well-received, with its lead single “Saiyaara” topping numerous Indian and international music charts, maintaining a spot in the top ten for several weeks following its release.
Point of View
It's clear that Mohit Suri's approach to filmmaking emphasizes emotional storytelling over extravagant production. His experience with ‘Saiyaara’ illustrates how genuine audience engagement can lead to a film's success, making it a noteworthy case study in contemporary cinema.
NationPress
2 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What inspired Mohit Suri's approach to filming 'Saiyaara'?
Suri's experiences at Vishesh Films taught him to prioritize storytelling and emotional depth over extravagant set designs.
How did the crowd influence the filming of 'Saiyaara'?
The crowd's spontaneous singing during the shoot became a pivotal moment, indicating the song's impact and popularity.
What was the commercial success of 'Saiyaara'?
'Saiyaara' became the third highest-grossing Hindi film of 2025 and the highest-grossing Indian romantic film of all time.
How did Mohit Suri capture the emotional scenes in 'Saiyaara'?
Suri opted to shoot emotional sequences first with a smaller crowd before bringing in larger crowds to maintain focus on feelings.
What impact did 'Saiyaara' have on music charts?
The lead single 'Saiyaara' topped various Indian and global music charts, remaining a top ten hit for multiple weeks.
