BY NAMITA DOGRA SUDAN*
Bollywood’s latest romantic hit Saiyaara is making waves—sweeping audiences off their feet with its emotional depth, soulful music, and standout performances by debutants Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda. Directed by Mohit Suri, the film follows the poignant journey of Krish, a gifted but tormented musician, and Vaani, an introverted poet diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s. Their love, tested by time and memory, unfolds in a hauntingly lyrical manner that has deeply resonated with Indian viewers.
But as Saiyaara climbs box-office charts, its uncanny resemblance to the 2004 Korean cult classic A Moment to Remember has sparked a storm of comparisons and conversations online.
‘A Moment to Remember’ – Debate
Released in 2004, A Moment to Remember, starring Jung Woo-sung, tells the story of a newlywed couple torn apart by the wife’s progressive memory loss due to Alzheimer’s. That film, in turn, was based on the 2001 Japanese television drama Pure Soul, creating a legacy of adaptations that spans decades and continents.
From Korea to Japan, Turkey (Evim Sensin, 2012), Hollywood also began developing a remake in 2016, reportedly starring Josh Hartnett and Jena Malone, though its current status remains unclear, and a recent announcement of a Filipino version, this emotionally charged love story has been retold globally each version adding cultural nuance while preserving its heartbreaking core.
Saiyaara: Inspiration, Adaptation, or Imitation?
In India, Saiyaara has undeniably struck a chord with audiences, earning over ₹155 crore worldwide and becoming the fifth highest-grossing Hindi film of 2025 so far. But alongside its commercial success, the film faces criticism for allegedly borrowing too heavily from its Korean predecessor.
On platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, fans have dissected the film’s plot, pointing out parallel story beats from memory lapses and emotional flashbacks to dramatic recreations of moments from the couple’s early romance. One viral comment read:
“Major plot points are literally the same Alzheimer’s, the ex confusion, the running away, and even the ending where he recreates their past.”
Interestingly, the film has also drawn comparisons to Hollywood’s A Star is Born, particularly in how it portrays the emotional arc of a musician grappling with fame, inner demons, and a transformative love that both heals and devastates. Krish’s troubled artist persona and Vaani’s rise as a quiet but impactful voice echo the dynamic between Jackson Maine and Ally. While the Alzheimer’s storyline sets Saiyaara apart, the emotional DNA a musical love story laced with tragedy and self-destruction feels familiar to global audiences, blurring the lines between adaptation and coincidence.
Still, many others have defended the film as an honest reinterpretation of a timeless theme, with one user writing:
“It’s a well-made adaptation, even if it is. Stories about love and memory loss hit hard, and Saiyaara delivers that emotional punch.”
Youth, Reels & Raw Emotion: The Saiyaara Effect
Regardless of the controversy, what’s clear is that Saiyaara has become a generational moment. From Gen Z fans tearing up in theatres to viral Insta style reels reenacting emotional scenes, the film has found powerful resonance online. One clip of a viewer fainting during a particularly intense moment has garnered millions of views, symbolizing the emotional grip the film has on its audience.
Recent days have seen an explosion of videos and memes featuring Gen Z reacting to Saiyaara in theaters, with scenes ranging from full-blown emotional breakdowns to viral in-the-moment theatrics. Multiple viral clips show young fans crying, clapping, even proposing inside the hall; in some theaters, couples have been spotted dancing after the credits, while others scream or “bawl their eyes out” during the climax.
A notable viral incident involved a fan watching the entire movie while on an IV drip, capturing mixed reactions. Some social media commentators believe what “started as a PR strategy,” including influencer invites and carefully staged emotional reactions, has turned into a real snowball effect for the Insta-generation. What began as orchestrated buzz has, according to several users and reports, organically evolved now young people find catharsis and collective experience by posting reels of themselves reacting dramatically, leading to a genuine, self-sustaining viral loop. Saiyaara truly has become Gen Z’s latest “collective heartbreak moment,” much like Aashiqui 2 was for millennials.
Credit Where It’s Due?
Despite widespread acknowledgment of its similarities to A Moment to Remember, and now A Star is Born, the makers of Saiyaara have not officially credited any of these sources. This omission continues to fuel the ongoing debate around originality, homage, and intellectual transparency in Indian cinema.
In a media landscape where global content is increasingly accessible, audiences are becoming more discerning and vocal about creative borrowing vs. cultural adaptation.
A Universal Story, Now With a Bollywood Heart
At its core, Saiyaara joins a long and emotional cinematic tradition, a lineage that began with Japan’s Pure Soul, touched hearts in Korea, echoed in Hollywood, and now beats with desi emotion in India. Whether seen as an adaptation, inspiration, or a tribute, its impact is undeniable.
In a world where love is fleeting and memory unreliable, Saiyaara reminds us why we return to such stories again and again: to feel, to cry, and to remember even when the characters cannot.
*Namita Dogra Sudan is the entertainment news editor and video news producer of NRIPulse.
