Saiyaara (2025) – A Romantic Musical That Reclaims Bollywood's Heart

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Saiyaara (2025) – A Romantic Musical That Reclaims Bollywood's Heart

Release & Context
Directed by Mohit Suri and produced by Akshaye Widhani under the Yash Raj Films banner, Saiyaara hit theaters nationwide on 18 July 2025. The film launched with substantial pre-release buzz. It set records for a debutant male lead, taking the highest opening day earnings ever for such a film—an impressive ₹21 crore domestically on day one.

Plot Overview

Saiyaara follows Krish Kapoor (Ahaan Panday), a raw, hot‑headed musician determined to break into the industry, and Vaani Batra (Aneet Padda), a soft‑spoken songwriter mourning a broken engagement. Their paths cross when Krish discovers Vaani's diary and turns her heartfelt lyrics into songs that captivate audiences.

As fame beckons, their love deepens—but a tragic twist involving Vaani’s unexpected young‑onset Alzheimer’s diagnosis—a dramatic revelation in the second half—threatens to tear their bond apart. The final act revolves around whether they can transcend the emotional and practical consequences of her illness, reuniting as soulmates or succumbing to fate.

Lead Performances & Chemistry

Despite being newcomers, Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda have drawn acclaim for their emotional depth and screen presence. Critics say Ahaan “captures both the raw swagger of an emerging star and the vulnerability required later”. while Aneet shines as the delicate yet determined Vaani.

The Times of India notes their chemistry keeps the film afloat despite a familiar plot structure. and Economic Times highlights how netizens have embraced the pair, even calling Aneet the next “national crush”. On platforms like IMDb, viewers praised the “emotional precision” of each frame. A YouTube reviewer added: “Saiyaara isn’t just a film, it’s proof that talent and fresh stories matter more than big names”.

Direction, Screenplay & Pacing

Veteran director Mohit Suri is known for romantic sagas like Aashiqui 2 and Ek Villain. With Saiyaara, he crafts a visually rich, melodically driven tale that revisits familiar themes—young love, heartbreak, music—but some critics say the screenplay falters under the weight of melodrama.

The first half builds strong emotional momentum, setting the tone with intimate performances and hopeful romance. The second half, however, introduces the Alzheimer’s twist and associated plot elements that reviewers from Koimoi called melodramatic and loosely stitched, citing “logical loopholes” and uneven pacing.

Still, other reviewers argued the imbalance is worth it. Economic Times and Indian Express-style reviews note that once the emotional helix tightens, the payoff lands with the characteristic Suri-style gut‑wrench. Rotten Tomatoes critics largely agree: “Enjoyable, appealing to younger audiences” albeit not flawless.

Music & Cinematography

Music is the heart of Saiyaara. Mohit Suri and his music teams—Mithoon, Sachet‑Parampara, Tanishk Bagchi, Faheem Abdullah, Arslan Nizami, Vishal Mishra and Rishabh Kant—spent nearly five years crafting the soundtrack. Singles like "Saiyaara", "Barbaad", "Tum Ho Toh", "Humsafar", and "Dhun" (released between June 3 and July 1, 2025) showcase this musical finesse.

Critics and audiences alike praised the title track’s grand emotional sweep and the wedding studio ballad Tum Ho Toh for its visual and lyrical beauty. The background score by John Stewart Eduri adds cinematic vibrancy, supported by Vikas Sivaraman’s cinematography, which brings alive live performances and romantic tableaux with flair.

Box‑Office & Reception

Opening strongly with ₹21–28 crore on day one, Saiyaara became the tenth highest‑grossing Hindi film of 2025 within two days. The movie’s warm critical reception—3–3.5 stars from major outlets like Hindustan Times, Times of India, and Filmfare—combined with its potent music, has driven enthusiastic word‑of‑mouth.

Audience reviews on Rotten Tomatoes reflect this positivity:

  • “It’s enjoyable… Gen‑Z will love it.” (4/5 stars)

  • “Finally a love story that leaves you feeling a certain way.” (4.5/5).

Criticisms & Limitations

Not all feedback is glowing. Koimoi slammed the second half’s tonal inconsistencies: “story gets lost in loopholes”. Similarly, some critics and audiences felt the Alzheimer’s subplot felt contrived—introduced mainly to heighten drama at convenience.

Still, Saiyaara strikes a balance between classic Bollywood romance and updated narrative forms like social‑media backdrops, collabs, and youthful energy.

Final Verdict

Saiyaara doesn’t reinvent Bollywood romance—it leans into its roots. But thanks to emotive leads, stirring music, and Suri’s directional finesse, it delivers a compelling cinematic experience. Ideal for lovers of musical romances, it carries enough modernity to resonate with Read more

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