Saiyaara

Rockstar and Ashiqui 2 were works of art, this is not. It's just a successful effort to rekindle the emotion of being in relentless love. There are only three kinds of films that are hit. Ones that touch your heart, that make you ponder, and those that do both. It falls in the first category, and just because the audience has been long deprived of a good love story. An opportunity.

What would have made it a great film then?

Had Mohit Suri not answered the question in his mind: what's worse, life sentence, or a death penalty. Great effort, but not a Kubrickan one. He'd do better subsequently.

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.

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.

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.