Saiyaara Movie Review: Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda shine in a tender tale of love

Mohit Suri’s influence looms large—the heartbreak, the grand gestures, the emotional highs.

‘Saiyaara,’ directed by Mohit Suri, was released on 18th July in theatres and stars Aneet Padda, Ahaan Panday, Varun Badola, and Geeta Agrawal.

‘Saiyaara’ is the kind of film that wears its heart on its sleeve. It draws heavily from the charm of old-school romance, yet doesn’t shy away from adding sprinkles of today’s reality—digital journalism, fading attention spans, and music as instant gratification. There’s something comforting about its familiarity. Mohit Suri’s influence looms large—the heartbreak, the grand gestures, the emotional highs.

Old-school heart, modern touch

And while the story treads familiar ground, the sincerity in its telling makes a difference. The film doesn’t aim to shock or reinvent; it simply tries to remind you how it feels to fall—and stay—in love. Sometimes, that’s enough. You aren’t constantly pushed to the edge of your seat here, but you’re gently nudged to remember how delicate and consuming love once felt.

A love that finds you twice

The plot is simple, even predictable, but told with conviction. Krish Kapoor (Ahaan Panday), a hot-headed singer with raw talent, meets Vaani Batra (Aneet Padda), a journalist nursing a broken heart. Their first encounter is prickly—he's offended by a review, and she's unimpressed by his tantrum. But sparks fly soon enough. Their chemistry crackles, and the screenplay ensures the pacing stays tight.

When Vaani is diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s, the tone of the film shifts, but not jarringly. Krish puts his dreams on hold to stay by her side—a choice that feels rare and romantic in today’s world. And just when you think the story is done giving, it throws a surprise: Vaani disappears. The plot doesn’t try to explain too much, and sometimes that's a good thing. It lets silence, stares, and memories do the talking. The love between Krish and Vaani never feels forced—it grows on you like a familiar melody playing in the background.

Two newcomers, one confident start

Much of the film’s emotional heft rests on its young leads—Ahaan Pandey and Aneet Padda—and they rise to the challenge. Ahaan is raw but confident, especially in emotionally intense scenes. He’s believable as someone torn between fame and love. Aneet, on the other hand, is remarkably composed. She plays Vaani with restraint, never overplaying the vulnerability.

Together, they bring an easy chemistry to the screen, the kind that doesn’t need loud declarations. You root for them not because the script tells you to, but because their eyes do. For newcomers, that’s quite an achievement. There’s a quiet maturity in how they navigate the highs and lows of their characters. In a film that leans heavily on emotions rather than plot twists, their performances become the glue that holds it all together.

A familiar tune, yet some discords

The film borrows liberally from the ‘Aashiqui’ template—emotionally charged sequences, music as balm, and lovers who find themselves through heartbreak. There are moments that feel too convenient or overly sentimental. The subplot about Vaani ending up in a women’s ashram in Manali feels undercooked. It’s hard to buy that a career-driven woman would suddenly vanish and start living in a Mahila Ashram in Manali—especially when, despite her Alzheimer’s, she keeps newspaper clippings of Krish in her room.

Similarly, Krish’s arc with his estranged father (played earnestly by Varun Badola) resolves too quickly to feel authentic. A few more scenes could’ve deepened their bond. The music—while soothing—lacks a true chartbuster trait. And yet, there’s a warmth that lingers. Even when the screenplay fumbles, the film never feels hollow. It still manages to tug at your heart. And that’s more than what most love stories do today.

A romance that lingers, even if lightly

‘Saiyaara’ isn’t groundbreaking. It takes a basic story, tells it with some heart, and leans on its strengths—performances, emotions, and a well-paced narrative. It knows its genre and stays faithful to it. The lack of villains gives the film a certain softness. Life becomes the biggest hurdle here, and that’s far more relatable than evil mothers or conniving lovers. In an age of cynicism and chaos, ‘Saiyaara’ offers a little pocket of warmth.

Also read: Ahaan Panday pens gratitude note for Saiyaara director Mohit Suri ahead of debut release: "the man who brought feeling back into my life"

It may not become a cultural moment, but it will surely find love among those who still believe in slow, sincere romance. That, too, is a win. Maybe that’s what 'Saiyaara' is really about—holding on to the fleeting. Not all films need to roar to be remembered. Some just hum softly in your memory. And stay there.

Rating: 3.5/5