New York: Some films want to dazzle you with spectacle. Saiyaara wants to break your heart. Directed by Mohit Suri and starring debutants Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, the film swims in familiar waters: wounded love, longing glances, melodic pain. It’s the kind of movie that leans hard on emotion and even harder on music. And while it gets a lot right—especially the chemistry between its leads—it can’t shake the feeling that we’ve been here before.
Ahaan Panday steps into the spotlight
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: Ahaan Panday. As Krish, a rising musician carrying the weight of past betrayals, he brings a surprising mix of vulnerability and fire. He’s confident on screen, at ease in silences, and expressive when words fall short. You can see flashes of a future star here—not just because he’s part of a famous lineage, but because he wants to be good. And that effort shows.
His scenes with Aneet Padda, who plays Vaani, are some of the strongest in the film. Padda brings a stillness to the screen that balances Krish’s restless energy. Their relationship unfolds slowly—sometimes clumsily—but with a sincerity that keeps you watching, even when the story begins to falter.
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Mohit Suri returns to familiar ground
If you’ve seen Aashiqui 2, Ek Villain, or Hamari Adhuri Kahani, you’ll know Mohit Suri’s comfort zone: tortured romance set to haunting music. Saiyaara doesn’t deviate much. It wears its heartbreak proudly and builds every scene to deliver maximum emotional impact. That works, sometimes. The songs—particularly the title track—are deeply affecting. And the cinematography, drenched in golds and blues, echoes the mood perfectly.
But the problem isn’t how the story is told—it’s the story itself. The screenplay never rises above the predictable. A struggling artist, a mysterious girl with emotional baggage, a series of life-altering choices. We’ve walked this road before. Every twist feels telegraphed, every revelation arrives on cue. There are no risks here, just well-worn formula.
Music as emotional backbone
One thing that Saiyaara absolutely nails is its soundtrack. The film’s emotional temperature is set not by dialogue, but by the music that wraps around it. Tracks like “Roke Na Ruke” and “Tere Bina Main” are classic Suri territory—achingly romantic, beautifully composed, and well-integrated into the narrative. You can expect these songs to dominate playlists for weeks.
It’s no surprise, then, that audiences in early screenings were seen humming along in theatres. In a year crowded with high-concept thrillers and franchise comedies, Saiyaara taps into an older Bollywood rhythm—the kind built on heartbreak and healing.
What works and what doesn’t
At its best, Saiyaara is an emotionally sincere film with two likable leads and a soul-stirring musical spine. Ahaan Panday’s debut is far better than the industry gossip would have led anyone to expect. He emotes with depth and carries several of the film’s key emotional moments with grace.
But at its worst, Saiyaara feels like a retread. The emotional arcs are too safe, the conflict too convenient, the final act too melodramatic. It doesn’t challenge the genre—it just relives it. There’s also a tendency to over-explain, especially in the second half, where the script turns overly talkative, draining the tension out of several scenes that could have been more impactful in silence.
Final verdict
Saiyaara isn’t a bad film. In fact, it’s quite watchable—thanks to its leads and its music. But it plays it too safe. There’s beauty here, but not enough bravery. It could have been more than a mood piece. Still, for fans of Mohit Suri’s brand of cinematic romance, it might be exactly the kind of slow-burning heartbreak they’re looking for.
Saiyaara Rating: 3/5
Watch it for: The songs, the sincere performances, and a promising debut from Ahaan Panday.
Skip it if: You’re looking for something new or unpredictable.
