Saiyaara

I'm not against anyone else's review, and I respect that everyone has their own perspective when it comes to movies. However, after watching this film, I couldn't help but feel that most of the reviews floating around seem overly hyped and, frankly, a little too positive to be genuine. It's a Yash Raj movie, so expectations were naturally high, but in my honest opinion, it doesn't quite live up to the buzz.

Let me start by saying that I went into the movie with an open mind. Yash Raj Films has given us some unforgettable classics, and their name alone usually guarantees a certain level of quality. That said, just having a big banner and a great cast doesn't automatically make a movie exceptional. For me, this one fell short in many areas, especially when it comes to the story.

The plot felt like something we've seen before-a romantic drama that brings nothing new to the table. In fact, the whole vibe reminded me a lot of Aashiqui-the same old tragic love story template, only with a slightly happier twist at the end. There's no harm in using familiar themes if they're executed well, but here, the narrative lacked depth. The emotions didn't hit as hard as they should have, and the dialogues were pretty average. Honestly, I was waiting for that one moment that would make me go, "Wow, this is why everyone is praising it," but it never came.

What surprised me even more is how every review I've seen calls this a "masterpiece" or "one of the best romantic films in recent times." That feels exaggerated. Sure, the cinematography was beautiful, the music was decent, and the lead actors delivered solid performances. But if we're talking about storytelling-the backbone of any film-I found it lacking originality. Everything felt predictable, from the first meeting to the conflict to the eventual resolution.

Now, I completely understand that everyone has different tastes. What might seem dull and repetitive to me could be deeply moving for someone else. And that's okay. Movies are subjective experiences, and that's what makes art beautiful. However, I can't shake the feeling that some of these glowing reviews are either influenced by the big production house backing the movie or are part of an intentional push to create hype. It's something we've seen happen before-manufactured buzz to draw crowds to the theater.

I also want to be fair. The movie does have its positives. Like I mentioned earlier, the visuals are stunning, and some of the songs are genuinely good. If you're someone who just wants a light romantic film with glamorous sets and beautiful faces, you might enjoy it more than I did. But if you go in expecting something groundbreaking or emotionally intense, you might walk out feeling a bit underwhelmed.

At the end of the day, this is just my personal opinion. I could be completely wrong, and maybe I'm missing something that others connected with deeply. I'm sharing this not to discourage anyone from watching the film, but to add a different perspective to the conversation. Reviews, whether positive or negative, should always reflect honesty, and this is mine.

So, if you're planning to watch it, go with an open mind. Don't get carried away by the hype-experience it for yourself and decide. Who knows, you might end up loving it! For me, though, it's just an average film that doesn't justify the overwhelming praise it's getting online.

Again, this is just my thought. It may not be right, but I felt like sharing.

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.

The movie at major parts is adapted from the Korean movie, A moment to remember. Many scenes are copied exactly. The story isn't fresh, but the leads have acted beautifully. Both the leads have done a great job and are immensely talented.

Since the original movie is very close to my heart and one of my favourites, felt a little thrown back watching this one. It would have been better if credits were well in advance given to the original.

Both the actors handled their roles very well which has added charm and made the scenes look more genuine. A beautiful one time watch for romantic comedy lovers.

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.

After a long time a good romantic movie from Bollywood. I had everage expectations from the movie. Definitely got more than i expected. Healing kind of movies is not a common genre in bollywood. My favourite part is when both soul get healed together. I liked the starting, the middle, the end . The movie was able to keep my dopamine level on track, keep me seated and finish the movie in one go. The character development was good specially the female lead did great job. Female lead and male lead both did good job considering their first project. The songs gave ashique 2, malang, ek villain vibe at a time. After a long time a movie's tracks touched my soul. I didnt feel bored for a single moment. The teens now a days can relate with the movie well. The plot overflow was smooth. Though they mentioned that its a remake but i liked how they modified the plot. The healing moments between broken souls healed a part of me also. After a long time satisfied with a bollywood movie. Definitely a healing journey worth watching.