Bollywood’s love affair with musical romance makes a passionate comeback in 2025 with Saiyaara, directed by Mohit Suri and produced by Yash Raj Films. Featuring the much-anticipated debuts of Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, the film blends old-school emotional storytelling with modern cinematic flair.
From its heartfelt soundtrack to surprisingly poised performances, Saiyaara proves to be more than just a star-launching vehicle—it’s an ode to the genre Mohit Suri helped define.
If you are on OTT platform then you can watch Aap Jaisa Koi Nahi movie on Netflix. This movie stars R Madhavan and Fatima Sana Shaikh in lead roles.
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🎬 Plot Summary: Love, Lyrics & Longing
Saiyaara tells the story of Krish Kapoor (played by Ahaan Panday), a talented but hot-headed musician chasing stardom, and Vaani Batra (Aneet Padda), a quietly ambitious lyricist who carries the wounds of a past heartbreak.
When the two cross paths through a struggling music label, their creative synergy ignites not just chart-topping hits but also a deeply emotional and often turbulent love story.
Set against the backdrop of Mumbai’s music scene, the film explores themes of self-discovery, vulnerability, and sacrifice—hallmarks of Mohit Suri’s style.
🎭 Performances: Ahaan and Aneet Make a Mark
Despite their lack of prior screen experience, both Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda deliver impressive performances. Ahaan, who has long been in the media spotlight as Chunky Panday’s nephew, surprises many with a convincing portrayal of a passionate artist wrestling with inner demons. He handles emotional breakdowns and romantic highs with natural ease, showing he’s more than just a familiar last name.
Aneet Padda, meanwhile, adds nuance to her character Vaani with expressive eyes and controlled dialogue delivery. Her performance is marked by a quiet strength, and she complements Ahaan’s fiery energy with grace and restraint. The chemistry between the two leads is one of the strongest aspects of the film and lends authenticity to the romance that drives the story forward.
Critics have noted that both actors show immense potential. While there are rough edges—occasional stiffness in emotionally charged scenes and inconsistent dialogue pacing—their sincerity overshadows these flaws. Many agree they are names to watch in the coming years.
🎶 Music: The Film’s Beating Heart
True to Mohit Suri’s reputation, Saiyaara is packed with melodious tracks that elevate the narrative and deepen its emotional core. Composers Mithoon, Vishal Mishra, and the duo Sachet–Parampara deliver a rich and emotive soundtrack.
The title track “Saiyaara” is a haunting, romantic ballad that anchors the film emotionally. “Barbaad,” a breakup anthem, and “Tum Ho Toh,” a softer love track, also stand out for their lyrical depth and vocal performances. The songs aren’t just decorative—they are used smartly to reflect the protagonists’ inner journeys.
The background score is minimalistic and subtle, letting silence and lyrics do most of the emotional heavy lifting. It’s clear the filmmakers wanted music to be more than just a playlist—it’s the soul of Saiyaara, and it works beautifully.
🎥 Direction & Visuals: Mohit Suri’s Signature Style Returns
After films like Aashiqui 2 and Ek Villain, Mohit Suri brings his classic melodrama-meets-music formula back, but with a contemporary touch. He handles the young love story with sensitivity, balancing tension and tenderness in key moments.
The film’s visuals are striking. Cinematographer Vikas Sivaraman captures the contrasts of urban Mumbai—the chaos of concerts, the intimacy of recording studios, and the stillness of lonely nights. The use of color is also notable, with warm hues representing creative inspiration and colder tones reflecting heartbreak and conflict.
Suri doesn’t break new ground narratively, but he succeeds in delivering what the film promises: an immersive, emotionally resonant love story backed by great music.
🧠 Writing: Familiar Yet Functional
While the performances and music are commendable, the screenplay itself treads familiar ground. The story of two creatives falling in love while dealing with personal baggage is not new, and certain plot points feel predictable. A jealous rival, a big concert climax, and a tear-jerking third-act twist all appear as expected.
However, the dialogues occasionally rise above the cliché. There are a few memorable lines that stick with you, particularly those related to art, fame, and heartbreak. Still, some parts—especially the second act—could have benefited from tighter editing and more originality.
📈 Box Office: A Strong Start
Despite being led by newcomers, Saiyaara opened to strong numbers at the box office, surprising many analysts. On its opening day, the film reportedly earned ₹20–21 crore across India, with high occupancy in cities like Jaipur, Lucknow, and parts of Mumbai. Multiplex chains noted pre-release ticket sales exceeding 90,000, a rare figure for debutant-led films.
By its opening weekend, the film is expected to comfortably cross the ₹60–70 crore mark and potentially enter the ₹100 crore club if momentum holds. It’s a clear indication that good music, relatable emotion, and strong word-of-mouth still matter.
📱 Audience & Social Media Buzz
On social media, reactions have been overwhelmingly positive. Viewers have taken to Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube with praise for the lead pair’s chemistry and the film’s soul-stirring music. Many younger viewers are calling it “this generation’s Aashiqui,” while longtime Bollywood fans are praising the film for reviving the musical romance genre.
Videos of theatergoers singing along and even dancing to the soundtrack have gone viral. Audiences are particularly fond of Ahaan’s emotional scenes and Aneet’s grace, noting that the film “feels like Bollywood of the 2000s with today’s polish.”
🎥 Critical Reception — Scorecard
| Outlet | Rating | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Times of India | 3 / 5 | Visually lush, emotive, melody‑driven | Uneven pacing, rushed climax |
| NDTV (Radhika Sharma) | 3 / 5 | Strong music, competent debut performances | Familiar storyline |
| Hindustan Times | 3.5 / 5 | Emotional resonance, soulful vibe | None noted |
| Indian Express | 2 / 5 | Spark from leads | strained dialogues, inconsistent second half |
| Koimoi (Rajiv Vijayakar) | – | Power-packed leads, musical strength | Story gets lost in plot holes |
| Mid‑Day (Mayank Shekhar) | 3 / 5 | Emotional relief, strong debut | Cliches remain |
| Scroll.in (Nandini Ramnath) | – | Suri’s emotional signature, performances shine | Occasionally downbeat pacing |
🎯 Critics’ Verdict
Critical reception has been mixed to positive. Here’s a snapshot of the common themes in reviews:
- Performances: Ahaan and Aneet impress in their debuts. Critics note the freshness and vulnerability they bring to the screen.
- Music: Almost unanimously praised. The film’s songs are considered timeless and emotionally impactful.
- Direction: Mohit Suri is back in form, but plays it safe. Some critics wish he had taken more risks with the story.
- Screenplay: The weakest element, with predictable beats and occasional pacing issues.
On average, critics are awarding Saiyaara between 3 to 3.5 stars, citing its emotional pull and musical brilliance as strengths, while calling out its narrative familiarity as a drawback.
🔐 Challenges: Piracy & Nepotism Discourse
Unfortunately, the film was leaked online just hours after its release, which may affect long-term earnings. Piracy continues to plague the industry, especially for high-profile releases. Despite this, strong theatrical attendance and legal streaming partnerships may help mitigate revenue losses.
Also unavoidable is the conversation around nepotism. Ahaan Panday, being part of a film family, has faced both praise and scrutiny. However, his performance in Saiyaara has earned enough goodwill to suggest he is more than just a beneficiary of industry connections.
✅ Final Verdict
Saiyaara may not rewrite the rulebook on romantic dramas, but it does everything that a good Bollywood love story should: it tugs at your heart, treats your ears with soulful music, and leaves you with a bittersweet sense of longing.
With two promising debuts, a stellar soundtrack, and a director playing to his strengths, the film marks a welcome return to emotion-driven storytelling in mainstream Hindi cinema. It proves that when done right, the musical-romance genre still holds immense power.
If you’re a fan of emotional drama, heartfelt lyrics, and young love finding its way through hardship, Saiyaara will strike a chord.
Key Saiyaara News Coverage
