‘Haiwaan’ Actress Saiyami Kher on ‘Ghoomer’ Failure, Bollywood’s Box Office Obsession: ‘A Rs 1,000 Crore Film Doesn’t Mean You Get Respect’ |

Saiyami Kher has opened up about the commercial performance of ‘Ghoomer’, the pressure surrounding box office numbers and why an actor’s credibility cannot always be measured by a film’s theatrical earnings. In a recent interview, the actor reflected on the contrasting journeys of films like ‘Ghoomer’ and ‘8 AM Metro,’ arguing that audience connection and respect earned through a performance can matter much more than a film surpassing a particular box office milestone. She also recognized the business reality of cinema and explained why she continues to value the directors who support her based on the strength of their work.

Saiyami Kher says a Rs 1,000-crore film doesn’t guarantee respect

In an interview with Hindustan Times, Saiyami Kher spoke about how box office collections do not always reflect the respect an actor receives from the audience. Citing the example of ‘8 AM Metro’, she said, “I am satisfied with making a film like 8 AM Metro that became big on YouTube, and then an OTT platform bought it. That film, no one was buying it until it became a big hit on YouTube. I have the respect I have for ‘8 AM Metro’ that I have never had for any other film. That’s very surprising because that film didn’t have a release, it didn’t have any big names behind it, but it struck a chord with the audience, and eventually the audience is king. That’s where respect comes from. There are so many films that make billions of rupees, but then people say, ‘Yes, you can imagine that,’ but it’s not like they respect you with a Rs 1,000-crore film.”

Saiyami Kher says box office doesn’t demand respect for an actor

Talking about Bollywood’s trend of linking an actor’s future opportunities with box office performance to Hindustan Times, Saiyami Kher said, “I feel like Bollywood talks a lot about box office, and your next film actually depends on how much money you’ve made, which is a bit unfortunate. It’s not based much on merit, but more on how much money your film makes. But in the end, in the end, it’s a business. If your film is not viable, how will the producer make a film? So for me, I understand the importance of box office success, but I also feel like I’ve had filmmakers who stood by me through it all.”Kher further spoke about the validation she received from filmmakers who chose to work with her regardless of market pressures. “Like a film like ‘Ghoomer,’ any top actor could have done it, but Mr. R. Balki said, ‘No, you will be the most authentic person in the script and I will ignore you if I get someone else on board.’ “I get that feeling of validation when big creators endorse me on certain projects, saying we don’t see anyone else in the project besides you.“He further shared, “Everyone wants their film to make money because making money means reaching a wider audience. I think OTT is helping to reach a very large audience that originally wouldn’t be there. So of course I want a successful and commercially viable film. “If I get commercially viable films, I will have more opportunities to make the films that I also want to make.”

Saiyami Kher on ‘Ghoomer’ box office failure

In ‘Ghoomer’, directed by R Balki, Saiyami Kher played a talented young cricketer who loses her right hand in an accident just as her international career begins to take off. The film, also starring Abhishek Bachchan, received strong reviews from critics and audiences, but did not perform well theatrically. It later found a much wider audience after its digital release on OTT.Reflecting on the film’s journey, Saiyami said, “It did very well when it aired on ZEE5. Even today, I get 25-30 messages from fans saying, ‘We really liked Ghoomer.’ It’s very overwhelming. Finally I feel that even if it finds its audience, you feel happy; there is no doubt about it. But it’s heartbreaking when you put your whole heart into a film and it doesn’t work out.”He also spoke about factors that may have affected the film’s theatrical presentation, saying, “In certain films that you are a part of, you also feel that it was a good film and deserved better. Certain films you feel bad about because you put a lot into them and they even turned out well, but then you realize that there is so much more.” Our release date was completely wrong and we had four major movies during that time. You also learn these things with every film you make. You become more cautious. It’s discouraging, but I feel like a movie made with a good heart always reaches its audience.”Meanwhile, on the work front, Saiyami Kher will next be seen in Priyadarshan’s ‘Haiwaan’, starring Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan. The film is scheduled to hit theaters next month.