Mohit Suri, the man behind the emotionally charged Aashiqui 2, returns with Saiyaara, a musical romance that marks the debut of Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda. Though the film offers soul-stirring music and a dramatic love story, it struggles to match the depth, intensity and perfection of its spiritual predecessor, Aashiqui 2.
In Saiyaara, we meet Krish Kapoor (Ahaan Panday), a temperamental and ambitious aspiring singer-composer and Vaani Batra (Aneet Padda), a budding journalist and lyricist haunted by a painful past. Their paths cross when Krish finds her lost diary filled with heartfelt poetry and lyrics. What begins as a creative partnership slowly blossoms into love.
Vaani, who was once deceived by her ex, Mahesh Iyer (Shaan R. Grover), is slowly reclaiming her life when she starts interning at a media house. As Krish inches closer to fame, Vaani is diagnosed with a rare case of early-onset Alzheimer’s. Her memory begins to slip just as their love begins to bloom. Things spiral when Mahesh re-enters her life—first as a colleague, then as a sponsor for Krish’s major concert. One tragic day, Vaani disappears without a trace, leaving Krish shattered. A year passes. The question lingers—will fate reunite them, or is their love lost to time?
While the plot has the ingredients of a deeply emotional romance, the storytelling falters. The first half holds promise, with light-hearted and engaging moments. However, the second half plunges into melodrama, with logic often taking a backseat. Alzheimer’s is treated more as a script device than a medical reality, with Vaani remembering and forgetting moments at the writer’s convenience. This makes the emotional arc feel somewhat artificial and rushed.
Ahaan Panday, nephew of Chunky Panday and cousin to Ananya Panday, makes an impressive start. He brings intensity to his role and shows potential. However, when held up against Aditya Roy Kapur’s unforgettable performance in Aashiqui 2, the difference is stark. Aditya’s portrayal of Rahul Jaykar was raw, heartbreaking and brilliantly restrained—something Saiyaara lacks. Similarly, Shraddha Kapoor brought nuance and charm to Aarohi, making the film a cult sequel to the original Aashiqui.
Aneet Padda shows grace and sincerity in her debut, with glimpses of strong acting potential. While she delivers an emotionally committed performance, some scenes feel slightly stiff. The chemistry between Ahaan and Aneet is warm and genuine, though not electrifying.
The music of Saiyaara is easily its strongest element. Just like Aashiqui 2, the film relies heavily on its soundtrack, and the songs do not disappoint. Heartfelt, melodious and emotionally rich, the music elevates the film’s mood and covers some of its narrative flaws.
One can’t help but wonder—could Saiyaara have been better as a film from a different genre? Ahaan seems more suited for rugged roles akin to a young Sanjay Dutt, while Aneet might shine brighter in light-hearted or character-driven stories. Their talent is evident, but this may not have been the ideal launchpad.
While Saiyaara is not officially Aashiqui 3, the comparisons are inevitable given the director’s past work. Though rumours suggest that Aashiqui 3 is on the cards, Saiyaara doesn’t fill those shoes. It’s a decent romantic drama with moving music, but lacks the staying power of a classic love story.
Verdict:
Saiyaara is a fair attempt at a musical romance, backed by good performances and memorable music. However, it neither matches the emotional weight of Aashiqui 2 nor delivers a tightly-written narrative. Worth a watch for the music and to witness two fresh faces enter Bollywood, but don’t go in expecting a masterpiece.
Rating: 3/5