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 an interview recently, the actor reflected on the contrasting journeys of films such as ‘Ghoomer’ and ‘8 AM Metro’, arguing that audience connect and the respect earned through a performance can matter far more than a film crossing a particular box office milestone. She also acknowledged the business realities of filmmaking while explaining why she continues to value directors who back her based on the strength of her work.
Saiyami Kher says a Rs 1,000 crore film doesn’t guarantee respect
In an interview with the Hindustan Times, Saiyami Kher spoke about how box office collections do not always reflect the respect an actor receives from audiences. Citing the example of ‘8 AM Metro’, she said, “I am satisfied with doing a film like 8 AM Metro that became big on YouTube, and then an OTT platform bought it. That film, no one was buying until it became a big YouTube hit. I feel the respect I have got from ‘8 AM Metro’ I have never got from any other film. That’s very surprising because that film had no release, no big names backing it, but it touched a chord with the audience, and eventually the audience is the king. That’s where the respect comes from. There are so many films that make 1000s of crores, but then people are like, ‘Yeh kya picture thi.’ They’ll watch it, but it’s not like you are getting respect with some 1000 crore film.”
Saiyami Kher says the box office doesn’t dictate respect for an actor
Speaking about Bollywood’s tendency to link an actor’s future opportunities to box office performance with the Hindustan Times, Saiyami Kher said, “I feel Bollywood speaks a lot about box office, and your next film actually depends on how much money your film has made, which is a bit unfortunate. It’s not very merit-driven but more of how much money your film makes. But eventually, at the end of the day, it is a business. If your film is not viable, then how will the producer make a film? So for me, I understand the importance of box office success, but I also feel that I have had makers who backed me in spite of everything.”Kher further spoke about the validation she has received from filmmakers who chose to work with her regardless of market pressures. “Like a film like ‘Ghoomer’, any A-lister actor could have done it, but R. Balki sir said, ‘No, you will be the most authentic person to the script, and I will be disregarding the script if I get anyone else on board.’ I have that sense of validation when big makers back me on certain projects, saying that we don’t see anybody else on the project besides you.“She further shared, “Everyone wants their film to make money because making money means it’s reaching a bigger audience. I think OTT is helping reach a very big audience which originally wouldn’t be there. So, of course I want a commercially viable, successful film. If I get commercially viable films, I will get more opportunities to do films that I want to do as well.”
Saiyami Kher on ‘Ghoomer’s 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 failed to perform well theatrically. It later found a much wider audience following its digital release on OTT.Reflecting on the film’s journey, Saiyami said, “It did very well when it went for streaming on ZEE5. Even today, I’ll get like 25-30 messages from fans saying, ‘We really liked Ghoomer.’ It’s very overwhelming. I feel, finally, even if it finds its audience, you feel happy; there’s no doubt about it. But It’s disheartening when you pour your heart into a film, and it doesn’t do good numbers.”She also opened up about the factors that may have affected the film’s theatrical performance, saying, “Certain films that you are a part of, you also feel that this was a good film and it deserved better. Certain films you feel bad for because you have put so much into it and it even shaped up well, but then you realise there’s so much more to it. Our release date was entirely wrong, and we had four big films during that time. You also learn these things with every film you do. You become more cautious. It’s disheartening, but I feel a film made with a good heart always reaches its audience.”Meanwhile, on the work front, Saiyami Kher will next feature in Priyadarshan’s ‘Haiwaan’, starring Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan. The movie is slated to hit theatres next month.
