Filmmaker Mohit Suri, known for romantic dramas like Aashiqui 2 and Ek Villain, recently opened up about his decision to step away from Aashiqui 3 and instead direct Saiyaara, which has turned into one of the year’s biggest box office successes. In a conversation with news agency PTI, Suri revealed that although he was approached for Aashiqui 3, he chose not to rush into it.
Mohit Suri On Directing Saiyaara
According to Mohit Suri, the producers of Aashiqui 3 were eager to get started on the film, but he wasn’t ready to commit without a finished script. He said he doesn’t like beginning a project unless the story is fully developed, and since the timeline felt rushed, he was happy to let filmmaker Anurag Basu take the reins instead.
Instead, Suri turned his focus to Saiyaara, a project he described as freeing because it came with no expectations tied to an existing franchise or star power. He explained that without the pressure to outdo Aashiqui 2, in terms of story, cast, or music, he was able to concentrate purely on making a film he believed in, without commercial expectations weighing him down.
The freedom, he said, allowed him to make creative choices that felt more authentic rather than being driven by the need to match or surpass past success. Interestingly, Suri also revealed that the film’s producer, Aditya Chopra, predicted a huge box office performance after watching an early cut of the movie.
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Aditya Chopra reportedly said the film would easily cross 100 crore and he was right. Saiyaara has gone on to earn over 300 crore since its release on July 18. Speaking on the low-key promotions involving lead actors Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, Suri clarified that this was not a new marketing strategy. The film’s success, he believes, speaks for itself.
Saiyaara follows the journey of Krish, a driven musician, and Vaani, a quiet lyricist healing from heartbreak. The film also features Geeta Agarwal, Rajesh Kumar, Varun Badola, and Shaad Randhawa in supporting roles.
Also Read: Did You Know Ahaan Panday’s Character In Saiyaara Was Inspired By Virat Kohli?