Saiyaara (2025) Movie Review: Old-School Romance for a New Generation
First Impressions
Mohit Suri’s Saiyaara hit theaters in 2025 amidst a lot of buzz. Backed by the powerhouse Yash Raj Films, anticipation had been building long before its release, thanks to its music, gorgeous visuals, and the debut of two fresh faces: Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda. Now that it’s out, Saiyaara has everyone talking – from seasoned critics to everyday moviegoers. It’s making a solid mark at the box office and sparking debates about whether old-school love stories still connect with today’s Bollywood audiences.
The Story
Saiyaara centers on Krish Kapoor (Ahaan Panday), a super-talented musician with a fierce temper and massive ego who’s desperate for his big break. Enter Vaani Batra (Aneet Padda): a quiet, principled journalist still grappling with a painful loss from her past. Their worlds collide when Krish stumbles upon Vaani’s diary, filled with private thoughts and heartbreaking songwriting. He transforms her words into hit songs, and soon their working relationship turns into something far deeper.
But this isn’t your typical, fluffy romance. Krish’s own emotional baggage, Vaani’s lingering trauma from her past, and the relentless pressures of the music industry throw plenty of challenges their way. The biggest test comes when Vaani is diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s. Suddenly, their story isn’t just about love — it’s about memory, sacrifice, and finding strength in the face of the impossible.
Mohit Suri’s Signature Touch
If you’re a Mohit Suri fan, you’ll instantly recognize his signature style. With classics like Aashiqui 2 and Ek Villain under his belt, Suri knows how to weave love and heartbreak into a compelling narrative. Saiyaara blends these familiar themes, delivering a film that tugs hard at your heartstrings. Expect plenty of close-ups, slow-motion sequences, smoky club backdrops, and soulful songs woven into almost every key moment.
This time, though, there’s a difference. Collaborating with Yash Raj Films for the first time, Suri sets aside the grittier textures of his Vishesh Films days for something glossier and more visually stunning. Vikas Sivaraman’s cinematography stands out, using rain, shadows, and intimate studio scenes to create a moody, immersive world.
Where Saiyaara truly works is in its sincerity. While the plot calls back to romances like Rockstar and Sanam Teri Kasam, Suri’s sensitive direction gives old tropes new emotional weight. He cares more about moments than surprises, always keeping the focus on raw, genuine feelings instead of flashy gimmicks.
Writing & Dialogue
Scripted by Sankalp Sadanah, Saiyaara features a familiar foundation — a troubled artist, a shy girl, music that brings them together, and a love tested by tragedy. It’s a formula Bollywood fans know well, but Sadanah injects just enough authenticity to keep it from feeling stale. Rohan Shankar’s dialogue shines in key emotional exchanges, whether it’s a heated argument or a whispered confession.
The script is at its best when it explores real emotion: Krish and Vaani confronting their demons, supporting one another, and facing hardships larger than themselves. Yes, there are clichés, and yes, some plot twists are predictable. But many critics agree the film’s second half is markedly stronger, building to a heartfelt, memorable conclusion.
The Performances
Ahaan Panday makes a striking debut as Krish Kapoor. Krish is not easy to root for at first — he’s impulsive, easily angered, and convinced that the music industry overlooks real talent. Panday nails this with an energetic performance, showing flashes of vulnerability beneath his bravado. He does start out a bit exaggerated, but as the story unfolds and his character matures, his performance deepens. By the end, Panday leaves a lasting impression.
Aneet Padda brings warmth and nuance to Vaani Batra. She plays what could have been a standard “good girl” role with a quiet strength and resilience that grounds the movie. Her arc, from wounded loner to an active agent in her own story, resonates. Audiences and social media have showered praise on Padda, calling her the new national crush thanks to her balance of vulnerability and determination.
There are memorable supporting turns, especially from Varun Badola and Rajesh Kumar, but make no mistake: this is Panday and Padda’s showcase, and both emerge as promising new talents.
Chemistry & Emotional Core
What sets Saiyaara apart is the chemistry between its leads. The journey from creative collaboration to heartfelt romance feels authentic (even if a touch melodramatic at times). The musical sequences, especially as they create the title song or perform “Tum Ho Toh,” don’t just exist for style—they drive the character’s relationship and development.
One standout moment? Krish and Vaani finishing their first song together, exchanging shy, meaningful glances that beautifully convey two scarred people finding hope in each other. These silent pockets of emotion reveal Suri’s gift for pulling honest performances out of his cast.
When Vaani’s illness emerges, the film handles it with surprising care, choosing honesty over easy sentimentality. The result is a moving exploration of love, illness, memory, and dignity.
The Music
Music is the beating heart of Saiyaara. The team—Faheem Abdullah, Tanishk Bagchi, Vishal Mishra, and others—has crafted a soundtrack that’s not just popular but integral to the story. The haunting title track has captured the imagination of younger fans, quickly becoming a chart-topper.
Every song, from the energetic bar anthem “Dhun” to the bittersweet “Tum Ho Toh,” is perfectly timed and meaningfully placed. Instead of being mere interludes, the tracks serve as emotional touchstones, reflecting the characters’ arcs and the film’s evolving mood.
Visuals & Technical Aspects
From a technical perspective, Saiyaara dazzles. Vikas Sivaraman’s visuals echo the characters’ inner turmoil and fleeting joys, with thoughtful use of rain, neon lights, and contrasting color palettes. The film moves between cold blues for sorrowful scenes and warm golds for moments of intimacy and hope.
Editing, on the other hand, has divided critics. Some feel the film occasionally loses pacing—especially in montages meant to compress time or emotion—blunting the impact of certain story beats.
What Works (and What Doesn’t)
What Works:
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Real Emotion: Sincerity and ambition drive Saiyaara, giving familiar romance themes deep, refreshing honesty.
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Complex Characters—especially Vaani: She’s more than just a muse; she’s a fully realized human with agency, goals, and real struggles.
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Stellar Music: The songs enhance and propel the story, never feeling tacked on.
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Lead Chemistry: Krish and Vaani’s bond feels lived-in and heartfelt, elevating even the melodramatic moments.
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Embracing Flaws: The rough edges—untidy performances, uneven pacing—lend genuine emotion and relatability.
What Doesn’t Work:
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Predictable Plot: The storyline borrows heavily from tried-and-tested Bollywood melodramas.
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Narrative Inconsistencies: Subplots (like Krish’s career or Vaani’s struggle with Alzheimer’s) sometimes feel abrupt or incomplete.
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Relentless Melancholy: The near-constant focus on pain and loss can be a heavy watch.
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Sluggish Pacing: At times, the film meanders.
Themes & Social Commentary
Saiyaara doesn’t shy away from modern issues, from Krish’s rants about nepotism and the superficiality of the music industry (ironic given Panday’s own industry lineage) to the pressures of fame for emerging artists. These touches add self-awareness and realism.
It also handles Vaani’s memory loss thoughtfully, showing her as a person deserving agency and dignity, not just as a passive victim. The film’s meditations on memory, loss, and self-worth offer new relevance within a familiar love story framework.
Reception & Impact
Critical response to Saiyaara is mostly positive, with consistent praise for its leads, emotional sincerity, and music. Audiences—especially on social media—have also responded enthusiastically, no doubt boosted by YRF’s unique marketing campaign that kept the lead pair shrouded in secrecy before release.
The film’s box office numbers tell a strong story: despite not having big-name stars, Saiyaara saw sell-out crowds, especially among younger moviegoers and fans of Mohit Suri’s signature style.
Detractors have cited predictability and a lack of boldness as weaknesses. Still, even the critics agree on the movie’s musical impact and heartfelt delivery.
Saiyaara: Cast & Characters
| Actor | Character | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Ahaan Panday | Krish Kapoor | Gifted musician, wrestling with anger and artistic ambition |
| Aneet Padda | Vaani Batra | Quiet lyricist, the emotional core, faces heartbreak & memory loss |
| Varun Badola | Krish’s Father | Alcoholic, shapes Krish’s emotional journey |
| Rajesh Kumar | Band Manager | Adds comic relief and balance |
| Other Actors | Various | Smaller roles that still add emotional depth |
Special Thanks:
To the music team—Faheem Abdullah, Tanishk Bagchi, Vishal Mishra, and others—whose work truly defines the soul of Saiyaara.
Final Thoughts
Saiyaara isn’t flawless—and it doesn’t need to be. It follows familiar Bollywood territory, leans into melodrama, and occasionally gets tangled in its own clichés. But through Mohit Suri’s heartfelt direction and two promising newcomers, it delivers an emotional, music-driven love story that’s hard to forget.
If you’re a fan of musical romances, crave honest emotions on the big screen, or want to discover Bollywood’s next big stars, Saiyaara is well worth your time. It offers nostalgia, heartbreak, and the sweetness—and pain—of first love, all wrapped up in a melody you won’t soon forget.
Let me know what you thought of Saiyaara in the comments below! Did the film’s music and emotions strike a chord with you, or do you think Bollywood romance needs to evolve? Share your views—I’m listening!