When Saiyaara released last month, few expected it to become one of the biggest success stories of 2025. The romantic drama, headlined by a debutant cast and devoid of franchise or star power, has crossed Rs 300 crore at the domestic box office, making it the year’s second-highest grosser after Chhaava.
A popular theory credits Gen Z (those aged 13-28) for this spectacular run. The argument appears intuitive; the film’s contemporary tone and youthful protagonists seem tailored for this demographic. But can one audience segment alone propel a non-franchise film to this scale? Ormax data suggests the answer is more nuanced.
A recent study by Ormax Media suggested that although Gen Z is a part of the segment driving the movie to success, it’s much more than that. Audience engagement scores, tracked across age groups for four weeks post-release, reveal that younger viewers rated the film higher. On a 0-100 scale, Gen Z scored the film at 68, while audiences aged 29 and above gave it a 63.
The male divide
The picture becomes clearer when gender is factored in. Among women, the rating is consistent across age groups. But among men, the divide is sharp: Gen Z men score the film at 66, while older men give it a middling 56, a 10-point gap.
Why this disparity? For younger men, Saiyaara resonates on a deeply personal level. The film’s narrative, navigating love, loss, and identity, mirrors their own lived experiences. Its protagonist, Krish Kapoor, embodies this tension. At 22, he is all swagger: racing across Mumbai’s flyovers, flaunting Air Jordans, rebelling against norms. Yet beneath the bravado lies vulnerability. When Vaani, his partner, is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, he stays, shelving a promising music career to care for her.
For a generation still romanticising the idea of “forever,” Krish becomes a cultural signifier. Saiyaara validates their yearning for commitment in a world often defined by fleeting connections.
Older men, by contrast, appear less invested. Moving into marriage, parenthood, and career responsibilities, they often turn to cinema for escapism rather than emotional excavation. For them, Saiyaara may be well-crafted, but not essential viewing.
The female constant
Why does this generational gap not extend to women? Research offers clues. Themes of love, empathy, and relational depth tend to resonate with women across life stages, both for cultural and biological reasons. Saiyaara leverages this universality.
Krish’s character arc is central to this appeal. He begins as a walking red flag, impulsive, reactive, and self-indulgent. But over time, he evolves. Instead of succumbing to trauma, he chooses resilience. His commitment to Vaani is not born of duty but desire, a narrative that underscores the possibility of enduring love without lapsing into melodrama.
In doing so, the film satisfies an emotional expectation that transcends age. For many women, Saiyaara is not merely a good film. It is an affirming one.
Beyond the numbers
The success of Saiyaara underscores an important truth: while Gen Z’s enthusiasm has undoubtedly amplified its cultural footprint, the film’s appeal cuts across demographics, albeit unevenly. Its strongest advocates may be young men and women of all ages, but its triumph lies in its ability to make vulnerability aspirational in an era that prizes speed and spectacle. And perhaps that is the real story behind the Rs 300-crore milestone: in a world of distractions, a film about love that endures has found its audience.