It grossed over ₹80 crore worldwide, earning a "Super Blockbuster" status.
But the song was the same.
The release of created a media frenzy dubbed "Hrithik Mania." Magazine covers, posters, and doll merchandising followed. For nearly two years, every aspiring actor in India tried to copy his hair flip, his dancing style, and his unique thumb ring. The film also set a precedent for "launching" star kids with maximum hype, though none have replicated the scale of Hrithik’s success. Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai -2000-
Upon release, critics were divided. India Today called it "a glossy fairy tale with a ludicrous plot," while The Times of India praised Hrithik as "the find of the decade." Audiences, however, voted with their wallets. It grossed over ₹80 crore worldwide, earning a
Despite being a debut vehicle for its leads, the film became the highest-grossing Bollywood movie of 2000. Approximately ₹10–14 crore. For nearly two years, every aspiring actor in