Saiyaara gets Popular Choice Award at Yellowstone International Film Festival 2025

'Saiyaara', one of Indian cinema’s highest-grossing romantic dramas, has added yet another honour to its name. The Ahaan Panday–Aneet Padda starrer has won the Popular Choice Award at the Yellowstone International Film Festival 2025, cementing its place as a modern blockbuster. The film, which released on July 18, collected an impressive Rs 570 crore worldwide and has been praised for its music, fresh cast and Mohit Suri’s direction.

Producer and Yash Raj Films CEO Akshaye Widhani, along with director Mohit Suri, accepted the award at a ceremony in Mumbai. Suri, visibly emotional, said, “This is really special. I’ve been around for 20 years, and this is my first award.” Known for hits like 'Aashiqui 2' and 'Kalyug', the filmmaker shared how the success of 'Saiyaara' is particularly meaningful as it marks his first collaboration with



YRF.

Suri also recalled his early love for cinema, crediting the iconic 'Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge' for inspiring his filmmaking journey. “I still remember when I was a kid and went to watch Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge in the theatre. That was the first time, the germ, the bug, hit me. I knew I wanted to be a filmmaker,” he said.

Expressing gratitude, the director added, “Akshaye, I wouldn’t be here without you.” He reminisced about the moment he narrated the script of 'Saiyaara' to YRF chairman Aditya Chopra and Widhani: “They loved it and said they wanted to make it.”

YRF had asked for the “best film and best music,” Suri shared, and the film lived up to those expectations and more. In fact, 'Saiyaara’s title track made history by becoming the first Hindi song to break into the Billboard Top 10 worldwide.