The Indian box office witnessed a dynamic clash this week between Bollywood’s emotional juggernaut Saiyaara and Marvel Studios’ superhero reboot The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Released on July 18, Saiyaara has emerged as a runaway success, while Fantastic Four made a modest but promising debut amid stiff competition.
Saiyaara’s Meteoric Rise
Directed by Mohit Suri and starring newcomers Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, Saiyaara has captivated audiences with its poignant love story of a rockstar and a gifted songwriter battling early-onset Alzheimer’s. The film opened with ₹21.5 crore and maintained strong momentum, collecting ₹190.25 crore in just 8 days, including ₹17.5 crore on its second Friday.
With emotionally charged performances and widespread public demand, Saiyaara has become the second highest-grossing Hindi film of 2025, trailing only Chhaava (₹585.7 crore). The film’s show count has increased in its second week, with more screens added due to overwhelming audience response.
Fantastic Four’s Steady Start
Marvel’s Fantastic Four: First Steps, released on July 25, earned ₹5.10 crore net on Day 1 in India. Featuring Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach, the film reintroduces the iconic team in a retro-futuristic 1960s setting. Despite being the third reboot of the franchise, it marks the team’s formal entry into the MCU, with the plot centered around a cosmic battle against Galactus and the Silver Surfer.
The film saw strong occupancy in metro cities, especially during evening and night shows, with English-language screenings recording 55.5% attendance. While its opening was lower than other recent Hollywood releases, industry analysts expect a weekend surge driven by Marvel loyalists.
Outlook
While Fantastic Four may gain traction through word-of-mouth, Saiyaara continues to dominate both the box office and public sentiment. With its rapid ascent and emotional resonance, Saiyaara is poised to cross the ₹200 crore mark soon, solidifying its place as a major cinematic success of the year.
