Saiyaara

Saiyaara is one of those films that looked really promising before release - with all the social media buzz and hype, I genuinely expected something powerful and emotional. But sadly, it didn't live up to any of it. The story is predictable, and while it tries to portray the strength of love, it never really hits that emotional depth. While the cast delivered decent performances, it often felt like they were acting rather than truly living the characters. The movie moves smoothly, but there's zero surprise or thrill, and the first half is almost boring. The music is probably the only thing that stands out, along with a few nicely shot scenes. Some people might still find it good depending on their taste, but personally, I felt it was just average - nothing close to what the pre-release buzz promised. It's a 6/10 for me. In comparison, Shiddat had everything Saiyaara was missing - real emotion, a gripping love story, and characters you actually connect with. Shiddat is easily a 10/10 for romantic drama lovers, while Saiyaara just feels like a film that couldn't match its own hype.

There are really two kinds of people watching this film: one group genuinely loves it with all their heart, and another shows up mainly to mock it and not so much the film itself, but the so-called cringe audience that enjoys it. Then there's a third category: people who just want to judge it fairly, on its own merits and flaws, without picking a side. Here's an honest take for that third group.

Merits

1. The Songs Easily the film's strongest point. Every song is woven seamlessly into the story, they don't feel forced, they carry it. It's the kind of album you'll replay on your own. Solid 8/10.

2. The Acting Both debutants deliver more than decent performances for their first outing. Sure, some moments feel a touch dramatic or raw, but they do land scenes that make you feel their pain and love. Credit where it's due: 6.5/10.

4. The Pacing Overall, the film moves well. The first half drags a bit, but that slower buildup works to establish the characters. The second half picks up enough to balance it out. 7/10.

4. The Chemistry The leads genuinely have spark. Aneet looks effortlessly stunning throughout, and Ahaan pulls off the classic lover boy vibe convincingly. Their chemistry does a lot of heavy lifting. 8/10.

Demerits

1. The Screenplay This is where things stumble. It's basically a loose rehash of the Korean film A Moment to Remember, and it shows painfully so if you've seen the original. The emotional beats are there but the stitching is weak. 4/10.

2. The Direction Typical Mohit Suri hit or miss. Here it's mostly average. Some characters wander in and out with no real purpose. A tighter grip on the story could have elevated this so much more. 3.5/10.

3. The Emotional Depth While the film tries hard to tug at your heartstrings, it doesn't always land the emotional punches it aims for. Some scenes feel melodramatic instead of genuinely moving, and the payoff isn't as strong as it should be for a story like this. The result: moments that should break you end up just feeling nice instead of unforgettable. 5/10

Verdict

In the end, this film is exactly what it looks like: a decent one-time watch. If you love the songs and have a soft spot for star-crossed lovers, you'll find moments to enjoy. Just don't expect a masterpiece and skip the fan wars.

Final word: Watch it for the music, the chemistry, and a few heartfelt moments then move on.

Mohit Suri consistently gets one thing right in his filmography, which is the music. The tracks in his films are raw, fresh, and deeply resonant, setting a benchmark for what good Bollywood music should sound like. With Saiyaara, he taps into the craze of young love among Gen Z and Millennials, bringing something new to the table, at least musically.

The story follows Krish Kapoor, a hot-headed, debt-ridden musician with an alcoholic father who lashes out at a critic for nepotism and for failing to recognize fresh talent. Vaani Batra is a writer aspired to great things, whose mannerism doesn't click with Krrish when they cross paths.

They fall in love, but with Vaani's past story and a health issue that breaks them apart, it becomes short-lived, but how Krrish gets Vaani back is what this film is about, as well as rising from glory to fame.

In all honesty, because of Ahaan's debut, there was something in the gut of the audience that made them hate this film due to the industry's liking to promoting star kids, and it wasn't a great film, but it had elements that made it watchable.

The first half of the film was a good introduction to Krrish and Vaani's roles in the film, and Mohit Suri manages to maintain that. The problem lies in the second half when Vaani's fate turns the tables.

It was far-fetched, and the context of Alzheimer's that Vaani had in the film was out of line and very illogical. The ending, luckily, was predictable and straightforward, but it was a happy ending, as always.

Mohit Suri is usually known for working with Emraan Hashmi, and although the narrative falters, the music manages to keep things afloat. The most OG films were Awarapan & Ek Villain, which were underrated. This time, he introduced a more recent generational take on a love story, and he did a decent job at it, but it still has minor flaws.

The acting was decent, as Aneet Padda, in my opinion, was the only one who shone in her debut in her complex role as Vaani. She was very nuanced and original. Ahaan Pandey was good in parts, and the aggression scene and the climax were rushed.

Music stood out as usual in a Mohit Suri-directed film. The album's highlights for me were Saiyaara, Dhun, & Humsafar. They resonated with what a romantic drama film should be.

Overall, great music and a decent first half, but the dialogues & second half falter for sure. Best to check this out on an OTT. But this film will do better thanks to YRF's new strategy of not doing heavy marketing and overhyping it.

Saiyaraa comes across as a heartfelt yet heavily inspired romantic drama that feels like a cinematic blend of three well-known films across different languages. The emotional journey of the male lead becoming a superstar after losing his love strongly mirrors Rockstar (2011), where grief fuels creative brilliance. A major part of the story unfolds in a remote, serene location reminiscent of Shankar's I (2015), suggesting the characters' need for escape and transformation. But the most striking parallel is with 50 First Dates (2004), where the female lead suffers from Alzheimer's-like memory loss, forgetting the hero each day, while he patiently reminds her of their bond - a direct emotional echo of Henry and Lucy's story. While Saiyaraa succeeds in delivering powerful performances, beautiful visuals, and a touching storyline, its lack of originality is hard to ignore. The film, though emotionally moving, seems more like a curated homage to its cinematic predecessors than a standalone masterpiece.

Saiyaara , feels like a nostalgic yet fresh dive into Bollywood romance that hits you right in the feels. The story follows Krish, a fiery, ambitious musician, and Vaani, a shy lyricist recovering from heartbreak. The chemistry of lead pair, built through soulful songwriting sessions and raw emotional moments, is the heart of the film. The music is a standout, with tracks like Humsafar and Barbaad weaving seamlessly into the story, amplifying every emotional beat. The visuals rain-soaked streets, moody studios, and tender close-ups create a cinematic vibe that's both gritty and poetic. Both debutant did very good job.

Romantic drama enthusiasts especially fans of Mohit Suri's signature style like Aashiqui 2 or Ek Villain will adore the emotional intensity and music-driven storytelling. It might not click for those who prefer fast-paced plots or dislike predictable arcs. Overall something fresh for young audience after long time.