From ‘Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai’ to ‘Dhadak’: Can Debut Films Still Make or Break a Star?

As Saiyaara gears up for release, all eyes are once again on whether a debut film can launch fresh faces into stardom. Bollywood has seen newcomers skyrocket to fame with one hit—and vanish just as quickly when the debut failed. But does the box office verdict of a first film still hold the same weight in 2025?

Why Debut Films Still Matter
A successful debut has always had the power to shape an actor’s journey. Think Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai, which made Hrithik Roshan an overnight star. Or Student of the Year, which introduced Alia Bhatt, Varun Dhawan, and Sidharth Malhotra in one go. When a debut clicks, it doesn’t just launch a career—it creates industry buzz, media attention, and fan following that’s hard to build otherwise.

But it’s not just about box office numbers. A well-acted debut, even if the film is average, can earn critical acclaim and open doors. For example, Rajkummar Rao didn’t have a massive debut, but his performance stood out.

The Flip Side: When Debuts Don’t Deliver
Plenty of debutants have struggled after a weak first film. A lukewarm response can delay future offers or even shift an actor’s career toward OTT or supporting roles. It’s a high-stakes game—especially when newcomers are launched with major production houses or family expectations.

Dhadak, for instance, gave Janhvi Kapoor and Ishaan Khatter a strong platform, but also brought intense scrutiny. The follow-up films became crucial for both.

Saiyaara and Today’s Audience
In the case of Saiyaara, the spotlight is on its leads, who are entering an industry now shaped by OTT success, social media branding, and evolving audience tastes. A good performance can trend within hours online—even if the film doesn’t dominate the box office.

That said, Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities still value theatrical releases and mass appeal. If Saiyaara strikes the right chord with smaller-town audiences, it could give its newcomers a strong push in the mainstream market.

Changing Landscape of Stardom
What’s different today is that one flop no longer ends a career. Actors now have multiple platforms—web series, indie films, brand work, music videos—to bounce back or reinvent themselves. But a powerful debut remains a shortcut to visibility.

Conclusion
While the industry may have changed, the pressure of a debut remains. With Saiyaara, the formula will be tested again: can a first film still be the big break, or is the journey now more about consistency than a single hit? Either way, the audience holds the final word.