BY NAMITA DOGRA SUDAN*
Stepping into my local AMC multiplex on a bustling Saturday evening, I was greeted by an unusual sight: a packed theater buzzing in anticipation of Saiyaara, a Bollywood film starring complete newcomers. It’s almost unheard of here in the US, where only the Khans, Akshays, and Ajays get such a release, let alone draw a crowd. With producer Aditya Chopra and director Mohit Suri opting for a “ghostly” absence of their debutant leads from all promotional activities, the strategy felt risky, intriguing, and, as it turns out, incredibly effective. When asked why the stars weren’t promoting the film, Suri explained that with no filmography to discuss, the typical “who was the prankster on set” questions felt unnecessary. Instead, the film was allowed to speak for itself.
What’s so special about Saiyaara? By the end of its 2-hour-30-minute runtime, I had my answer.
Plot & Feel: A Moody Musical with a Beating Heart
I’ll admit: I’m not usually a fan of dark, intense love stories. But Saiyaara had me hooked from the very first scene. The story is familiar on paper: Ahaan Pandey (Krish Kapur) plays a cocky wannabe musician, battling family baggage; Aneet Padda (Vaani) is the shy, recently-jilted girl with emotional scars of her own. Their worlds collide and heal each other, but a clever twist midway elevates the film from being just another “Aashiqui meets Rockstar.” Think a Bollywood spin on Adam Sandler & Drew Barrymore’s 50 First Dates (Yes, that is your spoiler-light hint.)
Performances: Newcomers Ready for the Spotlight
Ahaan Pandey, who until now was known primarily as Ananya Pandey’s cousin, delivers a breakout performance that may very well reshape the Pandey surname’s association in Bollywood. His journey through the film is much like listening to an A.R. Rahman’s song – initially subtle, eventually soul-stirring. By the end, he has your full emotional investment.
Aneet Padda, a true outsider to Bollywood, impresses with natural screen presence. Her portrayal is sincere, though her dialogue delivery could’ve used a bit more punch. At times, it felt like she was chewing her lines rather than throwing them with confidence. Still, her chemistry with Ahaan feels genuine and unmanufactured.
They both brought back memories of the talent and charm that Ranveer Singh and Anushka Sharma showcased when the same producer, Aditya Chopra, introduced them in Band Baaja Baaraat fifteen years ago.
Music & Execution: Earnest, If Repetitive
Despite being helmed by multiple composers, Faheem Abdullah, Arslan Nizami, Sachet–Parampara, Mithoon, Tanishk Bagchi, and Vishal Mishra, the soundtrack lacks variety. While the music is sweeping and soulful, this lack of diversity is the only major blip in an otherwise engaging movie. Unlike Rockstar, which offered a wide spectrum of musical styles, Saiyaara’s songs blend into each other. Emotional? Yes. Memorable? Not quite.
Direction & Technicals: Visual Poetry
Director Mohit Suri is renowned for masterfully depicting dark love stories like Aashiqui 2, Kalyug, Ek Villain, and Murder 2. He has a distinctive style, and Saiyaara feels like a refined extension of that signature approach, delivered with a new level of perfection.
Visually, Saiyaara is stunning. The cinematography, art direction, and screenplay all come together to create a world that’s grounded yet cinematic.
Box Office: Home and Away
Saiyaara has opened to impressive collections in India, netting ₹42 crore in its opening weekend, a strong word-of-mouth and repeated viewing by young audiences. Overseas — including North America, the UK, UAE, and Australia — the film has grossed $4.8 million USD (approx. ₹40 crore), making it one of the year’s rare hits driven purely by content and not stardom.
Final Verdict:
Saiyaara is not flawless — the musical monotony, Aneet Padda chewing her lines at times, a less-than-perfect villain, and a few plausibility questions (like the age-old “struggling musician in a Mumbai penthouse” issue) hold it back. But the sincerity, natural performances, and tight screenplay make it a standout. It’s a movie for the Instagram generation, but with an old-school soul.
Target audience? Teens to twenty-somethings will love it. But if you’re a fan of intense, character-driven romances, this one might just resonate regardless of age.
Rating: 3.75/5 stars
Don’t wait for Netflix. Go watch it with someone special or by yourself. You just might come away believing in Bollywood magic again.
That said, I’m still left wondering — is Saiyaara truly that good, or are we loving it because it’s been far too long since Bollywood offered us a love story this heartfelt, free from baseless action, over-the-top masala, and nostalgia-driven sequels and remakes?
*Namita Dogra Sudan is the entertainment news editor and video news producer of NRIPulse.
