Anurag Kashyap praises Mohit Suri’s fight for 'Saiyaara'; reveals many producers REFUSED it: 'Very few people hold on…'

Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda debut film 'Saiyaara' is one of this year’s biggest and most surprising hits. But behind its success lies a story of sheer determination and the struggle of director Mohit Suri. He reportedly spent nearly a decade facing rejection, delays, and closed doors before the film finally hit the cinemas.

Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap has now opened up on how director Mohit Suri fought for the film and explained that 'Saiyaara's success proves that belief in a story can change everything.

Kashyap praises Suri for persistent vision

In a chat with ANI, Anurag Kashyap revealed how rare it is for filmmakers to hold on to their vision when the industry keeps saying no. He said, “Very few people hold on to their stories, like Mohit Suri did with 'Saiyaara'. So many producers refused; nobody understood it.”

Kashyap further explained, “Usko naye logon ke saath banani thi, jaise banani thi waise banani thi, lekin usne chhodi nahin picture, usne suffer kiya uske liye, 6 saal 7 saal suffer kiya, banayi usne. (He wanted to make it with new actors, in his own way, and he did not give up. He suffered for 6-7 years but still made it).”

'Saiyaara' went on to become a hit

When the film was eventually made, it launched fresh faces, Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda in lead roles, just the way Suri had envisioned. Both Ahaan and Aneet were newcomers, and despite that the film connected with people and blew up on social media reactions in an unexpected way. Mohit's risks, 'Saiyaara' turned into a blockbuster and the film went on to mint over Rs 500 crore worldwide at the box office.

Anurag Kashyap's upcoming work

On the work front, after making a mark with films like 'Gangs of Wasseypur', 'Ugly, and 'Raman Raghav 2.0', Kashyap is back in the director’s chair with 'Nishaanchi'. Set in early 2000s Uttar Pradesh, the film promises a gritty drama that dives into clashing ideologies, power struggles and family bonds.