Saiyaara actor Varun Badola says promotions went overboard: 'Chudiyaan tod rahe hai, chaatiyaan peet rahe hai'

Varun Badola, known for his nuanced performances, has added a dose of reality to the conversation around Saiyaara the film currently dominating the box office. The actor, who plays Ahaan Panday’s father in the Mohit Suri directorial, offered a sharply worded reflection on the film’s over-the-top promotional tactics.

While the romantic drama starring debutant Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda has reportedly crossed Rs 500 crore globally (with Rs 300 crore from India alone), the hysteria around it hasn’t just been about the numbers. From IV drips in theatres to fans breaking bangles and crying publicly, Saiyaara’s PR campaign has stirred more than just admiration.

Speaking to Screen, Badola revealed he still hasn’t seen the film himself. “When we were working on the film, we hadn’t thought it would get so big… But on the third day of the release, when the film blew up at the box office, we realized it had gone big,” he said.

But his tone shifted while discussing the viral social media content. “By the third or fourth day, the film was being talked about. I saw the euphoria on Instagram. Log jo chudiyaan tod rahe hai, chaatiyaan peet rahe hai,” he observed. Referring to the viral clips of fans appearing with IV drips, he commented, “I think the promotions team went a little overboard… Those people must have been told to give content. Thank god, people didn’t get their legs broken and go crawling to see the film."

His remarks point to a wider conversation about how far film publicity should go, especially in an era where virality often trumps substance.

Despite the critique, Badola acknowledged the success isn’t without merit. “It’s okay. We understand promoting the film, but it’s good only up to a certain level. However, the film cannot earn so much money just based on Instagram promotions. People have gone and seen the film, and they have loved it,” he concluded.

While Saiyaara cements Ahaan Panday’s entry into Bollywood, Badola’s comments are a reminder that behind the viral noise, it’s still the film that needs to speak for itself.