In a cinematic landscape crowded with recycled love stories, remixed songs, and emotional clichés, Saiyaara—the latest romantic musical drama by Mohit Suri—has sparked genuine curiosity. With fresh faces like Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda taking center stage, and Suri’s signature cocktail of pain, passion, and melody, many are wondering:
Is Saiyaara a breath of fresh air, or just another tearjerker in Bollywood’s never-ending love parade?
In this review, we’ll break down:
- Who Saiyaara is really for—and who might walk away disappointed
- Its biggest strengths and where it falls short
- Whether it truly stands out as a must-watch for 2025
Plot Overview (for Context, No Major Spoilers)
Saiyaara follows the emotionally charged journey of Krish Kapoor, a gifted but emotionally scarred musician, and Vaani Batra, a quiet, reclusive poet dealing with inner demons of her own. Their connection is born through shared art—his music and her words—and soon blossoms into something deeper.
But the love story takes a complex turn when Vaani reveals she’s battling early-onset Alzheimer’s, a reality that not only shakes their relationship but redefines it. As memories fade and emotions intensify, Saiyaara explores how love endures (or doesn’t) through illness, ambition, heartbreak, and hope.
The film’s title track, “Saiyaara”, acts as more than just a song—it becomes the soul of the story, echoing the highs and lows of Krish and Vaani’s connection.
Who Should Watch “Saiyaara”?
Let’s get to the heart of the matter. Saiyaara is emotionally-charged and intentionally melodramatic. But for some viewers, that’s exactly the point and the pleasure.
Definitely Watch If You Are:
- A Fan of Musical Romantic Dramas: If you loved films like Aashiqui 2, Ek Villain, or even classic tearjerkers like Kal Ho Naa Ho, this film is made for you. The music, emotional highs and lows, and intense romance are at the forefront.
- Young Adults & College Crowd: The protagonists are relatable for urban students or twenty-somethings, grappling with mental health, ambition, family pressure, and self-identity. The college and early-career setting, creative competition, and peer group scenes will feel familiar to many in this demographic.
- Music Lovers: The soundtrack is easily one of the film’s standout aspects. Tracks like “Saiyaara,” “Dhun,” “Barbaad,” and “Humsafar” have strong replay value and emotional resonance, driving the story forward with genuine feeling.
- Fans of Mohit Suri’s Work: If you appreciate Suri’s flair for emotional manipulation—heightened drama, heart-wrenching music, and doomed lovers—you’ll probably enjoy how he’s remixed those elements here.
- Viewers Who Crave Emotional Catharsis: The film takes you on a rollercoaster of heartbreak, loss, and rediscovery. If you want a good, old-fashioned cinematic cry or enjoy stories of healing, forgiveness, and reunion, Saiyaara will deliver.
You May Also Enjoy It If:
- You’re interested in debut performances and want to scout new Bollywood talent
- You feel nostalgic for early-2000s romance films with big musical numbers and dramatic highs/lows
- You appreciate films that realistically portray illness (early-onset Alzheimer’s) and its emotional toll
Who Might Want to Skip “Saiyaara”?
Not all films are made for all audiences. Saiyaara has clear drawbacks and may not appeal to every viewer.
Probably Not For You If:
- You Dislike Melodrama: Mohit Suri’s style is unapologetically emotional. If you want subtlety, realism, or understated storytelling, this film might feel manipulative or over-the-top.
- You Prefer Fast-Paced or Plot-Heavy Cinema: The bulk of the film focuses on developing romance, character wounds, and musical interludes. Action, humor, and plot-twists are secondary.
- You’re Tired of Familiar Tropes: Saiyaara borrows heavily from previous films—troubled artist falls for mysterious stranger, fatal illness, separation, grand musical finale. If you crave fresh narratives, this film can feel predictable.
- You’re Watching for Logic and Tightness: The storyline has several convenient coincidences and melodramatic medical turns. The emotional core is strong, but the realism can be lacking.
- You Don’t Enjoy Bollywood Musicals: The soundtrack is front and center. If you’re put off by frequent song breaks or lip-synced performances, Saiyaara will test your patience.
The Good: Strengths of “Saiyaara”
Watching Saiyaara felt like I was reliving pages from someone’s diary—raw, personal, and heartbreakingly beautiful. Ahaan Panday as Krish surprised me. For someone debuting, the depth he brought to his role—a sensitive, sometimes tormented artist—was impressive. And Aneet Padda, portraying Vaani, made me feel every beat of her transformation from a quiet poet to a woman grappling with something as heavy as Alzheimer’s. Their chemistry didn’t feel like acting. It felt like… two souls finding each other, just for a while.
The soundtrack? It’s been on loop ever since. “Saiyaara” isn’t just a song—it’s the heartbeat of the film. Tracks like “Barbaad” and “Tum Ho Toh” didn’t just accompany the story, they deepened it. I found myself feeling things I didn’t expect in those musical moments—like the melodies were speaking for the characters when words failed.
What really got to me was how the film handled pain. It didn’t glamorize it, didn’t dramatize it too much either. Just showed it as it is—messy, quiet, sometimes beautiful in its own broken way. Watching Vaani’s health decline, and seeing how Krish coped (or didn’t), hit very close to home.
Saiyaara also touches on things that are very real right now—mental health, pressure to succeed, the fragility of memory and love. It reminded me how important it is to cherish someone while they’re still here. Honestly, it made me think about my own life. My own dreams. My own fears.
Visually, it’s a treat. The film looks like a painting at times—college campuses, city nights, rainy streets. But more than the visuals, it’s the emotional weight that stays. It’s not a perfect film, but it has a soul. And that’s rare.
What Didn’t Work for Me in the Film…
1. Predictable Plot & Familiar Tropes
As someone who genuinely loves emotional stories, I still couldn’t ignore the déjà vu. The storyline felt heavily inspired by films like Aashiqui 2, Ek Villain, and other tragic romantic dramas. Even though it’s well-executed, I could predict many of the twists long before they arrived. That sense of originality was missing for me.
2. Over-the-Top Emotions
I do get emotional during movies—but here, I felt like the film was trying a bit too hard to make me cry. The tearful breakdowns, intense music, and prolonged montages started feeling heavy after a point. It made me disconnect instead of feeling deeply moved.
3. Convenient Coincidences
There were moments where things just magically worked out—like certain illnesses progressing unrealistically fast or ex-lovers showing up at just the right (or wrong) time. It made me question the logic a few times, and for an emotional film like this, realism is important for impact.
4. Uneven Pacing
The first half took its sweet time building the love story. I didn’t mind that—until the second half suddenly sprinted into tragedy after tragedy. It felt like I was watching two different films. The emotional climax, while powerful, could have been trimmed a bit for better balance.
5. Weak Supporting Cast
I genuinely wanted to care about the people around the lead pair—but their family, friends, and rivals felt underdeveloped. They were just “there,” not really adding to the emotional depth. It’s a missed opportunity, especially for a story about relationships.
6. Heavy-Handed Themes
The core messages about love, memory, and healing are beautiful. But instead of letting me feel them naturally, the film kept spelling them out. Sometimes, subtlety speaks louder—and I wish this film trusted the audience a bit more.
My Opinion
Saiyaara wasn’t just a movie I watched—it was something I truly felt. As someone who believes that love has the power to heal, this story touched me in unexpected ways. Vaani’s struggle with memory loss, Krish’s helplessness, and how their music kept them connected—it all made me realize how fragile, yet beautiful, human relationships can be.
There’s one moment in the film where everything just slows down—not because the story needs it, but because the emotions are too deep to rush. That moment really stayed with me. It felt like this film was made for people like me—people who still believe love can be poetic, painful, and timeless.
Saiyaara connected with the part of me that overthinks, feels too much, and still dares to dream in a practical world. For someone who holds on tightly to memories and small moments, this wasn’t just a movie—it felt like a reflection of my own heart.
Should You Watch It? The Verdict
Saiyaara is at its core a youth-centric, highly emotional musical drama with everything that genre demands—heartache, healing, betrayal, reunion, and a hit soundtrack.
- Watch it for sincere debut performances, memorable music, and a classic Mohit Suri-style emotional ride.
- Skip it if you need subtlety, innovation, or are allergic to sentimental Bollywood drama.
For many, Saiyaara won’t be “new,” but it’s made with heart and polish, and connects with audiences looking for a cathartic love story that doubles as a musical experience.
If you’re willing to accept familiar tropes with fresh faces and melodies, you’ll be moved. If you demand reinvention or gritty realism, this may not be your film.
Final Tips for Viewers
- Go in for the music and emotional catharsis, not narrative surprises.
- Bring tissues if you’re easily moved by tragic romance.
- Watch with friends or loved ones—Saiyaara aims to comfort, not only to entertain.
- See it in cinemas or with high-quality sound for the full musical effect.
In essence:
For me, Saiyaara wasn’t just a film—it felt like a musical poem about pain, healing, and unspoken love. Yes, it has flaws. It’s dramatic, predictable, and at times exaggerated. But somewhere in that chaos, it captures something real. Something honest. And maybe that’s why, despite its imperfections, Saiyaara still managed to leave a soft ache in my heart.