Director Mohit Suri is currently on top of the world after delivering Saiyaara, one of the biggest hits of the year, which collected over Rs 500 crore worldwide. However, before this massive success, the director faced a difficult period where his films like Malang and Ek Villain Returns did not perform well at the box office.
In a recent interview, Suri made a startling revelation about how the industry, including his own family members at Vishesh Films, lost faith in him during his low phase. He confirmed that he was dropped from directing Aashiqui 3, a franchise he helped revive.
“People Judge You On Hits And Flops”
Mohit Suri shared that he was actively writing the script for Aashiqui 3 with the intention of directing it himself. However, due to his recent string of flops, the producers were not willing to wait for him to finalize the script.
“They decided to make the film without me, it’s true,” Suri said. He admitted that his poor performance at the box office was a major factor. “And this was my own family that were the ones not willing to wait. And I don’t blame them, because it’s a business.” The studio then moved on, bringing in director Anurag Basu to helm the project, which is reportedly being developed with Kartik Aaryan.
Reflection On Past Failures
Suri also spoke honestly about why his previous film, Ek Villain Returns, failed to connect with the audience. He admitted that he was trying too hard to guarantee a box office hit by “ticking boxes” rather than focusing on genuine creativity.
“In that greed to reach that box office success… I wanted to feel that high again. I was playing it safe, and making the film for the wrong reasons,” he explained. Suri mentioned making a sequel, remixing songs, and casting multiple stars, but acknowledged that the strategy “blew up in his face.”
Aashiqui Is Now A “Project, Not A Film”
When asked if he felt bad about losing out on Aashiqui 3, especially after the success of Saiyaara, Suri gave a thoughtful answer. He questioned the idea of making an Aashiqui film without the original leads, Aditya Roy Kapur and Shraddha Kapoor, who made Aashiqui 2 a cult classic.
Suri drew a line between making a film with passion and simply cashing in on a successful brand name. “Now, people want to use that brand name and make another film. But it’s more of a project now than a film, and I don’t know if I fit into this,” he stated.
About Mohit Suri
Mohit Suri is an Indian film director known for his work in Hindi cinema, particularly in the romantic thriller and musical drama genres. He gained widespread recognition for directing blockbusters like Aashiqui 2 and Ek Villain. After a brief career downturn, he returned with the massive musical hit Saiyaara in 2025, starring newcomers Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda.
(Also read: Ahaan Panday And Aneet Padda Jubilant As ‘Saiyaara’ Completes 50 Days In Cinemas)
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