In an industry where partnerships tend to tread well-established paths, the surprise union between Yash Raj Films (YRF) and Netflix for Saiyaara sent shockwaves in Bollywood. The romantic musical drama, which is presently wallowing in box office success, has now set another landmark by becoming the first-ever YRF theatrical release to be available on Netflix following its theatrical run.
While most YRF films have traditionally made their way to Amazon Prime Video post-theatrical release, Saiyaara breaks the pattern in more ways than one.
A Film of Firsts
From its very inception, Saiyaara was billed as a project unlike any other. The film marks the grand debut of Ahaan Panday, a name already buzzing in the Bollywood grapevine, and pairs him opposite Aneet Padda in a refreshing new onscreen romance. Behind the camera, the film brings Mohit Suri, known for musical hits like Aashiqui 2 and Ek Villain, into the YRF fold for the very first time.
Joining this creative mix is YRF CEO Akshaye Widhani, who makes his debut as a producer. Widhani begins a new chapter of vision and narrative at one of India’s most legendary film studios with Saiyaara, marking his production venture.
YRF x Netflix: A New Chapter Begins
The surprise of the day, however, came during the end credits of the movie, when the Netflix logo came on discreetly but proudly, announcing that the international streaming behemoth had acquired the digital rights for the movie. While it may look like a subtle visual pointer to the masses, those in the industry are aware of what it means: Saiyaara is the first mass-appeal YRF theatrical release that will stream on Netflix, a clear departure from their historical partnership with Amazon Prime Video.
This shift in strategy means a more universal digital strategy for YRF, one that is integrated with global platforms to extend reach and storylines.
The Online Trail: Not Their First Rodeo
Interestingly, this is not the first time YRF has partnered with Netflix. The production company had already established an independent vertical, YRF Entertainment, that focused on serving global audiences through web series and digital-first content. The collaboration began with The Romantics, a heartfelt docu-series released in February 2023 that chronicled 50 years of Yash Chopra’s legacy and the evolution of YRF as a studio. Next came The Railway Men, a gripping mini-series featuring R. Madhavan, Kay Kay Menon, Divyenndu, and Babil Khan. The show paid tribute to the unsung heroes of the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy and was widely praised for its poignant narrative and powerful performances.
Following that was Maharaj, a daring courtroom thriller headlined by debutant Junaid Khan with Sharvari and Jaideep Ahlawat. The movie generated a lot of buzz and set YRF’s tone to experiment with storytelling on OTT platforms.
In November 2024, Vijay 69, a heartwarming sports movie with Anupam Kher, also released on Netflix and touched people’s hearts for its warm storytelling. Recently, the studio released its most ambitious series thus far, Mandala Murders, with Vaani Kapoor, going full-on into crime-thriller territory.
Earlier this year, at a starry Netflix gala, YRF announced one more upcoming series, Akka, starring Keerthy Suresh, Radhika Apte, and Tanvi Azmi—yet another promising digital entry for them.
Box Office Reign of Saiyaara
While its Netflix premiere may be a headline grabber, Saiyaara continues to dominate in the real world. With its musical charm, heartfelt performances, and larger-than-life cinematic scale, the film is on track to cross the Rs. 300 crore mark by the end of its third weekend. Audiences across the country have been drawn to the chemistry of the lead pair, Suri’s signature romantic flair, and a soundtrack that’s already become a chartbuster.
Given this strong theatrical momentum, fans might have to wait a while before Saiyaara lands on Netflix. As with most big-ticket Bollywood releases, the digital release will likely adhere to the standard window of no less than 8-12 weeks after the cinema run, perhaps even more, given its ongoing box office draw.
A Turning Point
The YRF-Netflix tie-up, initiated by Saiyaara, is a game-changer for the digital distribution universe of Bollywood. With the boundaries between theatrical and OTT content getting increasingly blurred, this development could herald a change in how large studios plan their release strategy in the days to follow.
For the time being, audiences can celebrate that after dazzling on the big screen, Saiyaara will finally be accessible for multiple watchings from the comfort of home this time, thanks to Netflix.
Also Read: National Awards Winner – Bollywood’s Big Win At The Prestigious Awards 2