Saiyaara had all the makings of a successful Bollywood romance, an established director like Mohit Suri, fresh-faced leads in Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, and a soulful soundtrack. But does the film live up to its potential? Unfortunately, despite its visual beauty and emotional ambitions, Saiyaara stumbles due to a predictable story, weak dialogues, and dated storytelling. In this Saiyaara movie review, we break down what works and what doesn’t.
Rating: ⭐⭐½ (2.5/5 stars)
Genre: Romance
Release Date, Director, and Cast
- Cast: Ahaan Panday, Aneet Padda, Rajesh Kumar, Varun Badola
- Director: Mohit Suri
- Release Date: 18 July 2025
- Language: Hindi
Plot Overview: A Familiar Tune Played Again
Saiyaara tells the story of Krish Kapoor, a passionate singer struggling with grief, and Vaani Batra, a small-town girl with big dreams. Their paths cross through music, and a predictable love story unfolds with emotional breakdowns, separations, and a dramatic climax that feels straight out of a 2010s playbook.
The themes of loss, love, and redemption are sincere, but the storytelling lacks the depth and innovation that today’s audience expects. It’s a romantic musical, yes- but one that doesn’t surprise or evolve.
Saiyaara movie review: How did Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda perform?
Ahaan Panday’s debut is one of the few redeeming aspects. He gives an earnest performance, clearly trying to rise above the screenplay’s limitations. Aneet Padda, too, brings warmth to her role, although her character doesn’t get much development.
Their chemistry is believable, but the film doesn’t give them enough strong material to shine. If you’re looking for Saiyaara Ahaan Panday’s debut reaction, you’ll find mixed sentiments, good effort, but average impact.
Music: The Real Star of the Film
As with most Mohit Suri films, the soundtrack is the true highlight. Songs like “Saiyaara”, “Barbaad”, and “Tum Ho Toh” are beautifully composed and emotionally charged. The background score adds to the film’s tone, even when the writing falters.
For fans of Hindi romantic movies with great music, this is the area where Saiyaara delivers the most satisfaction.
Visuals & Direction: Glossy but Hollow
Visually, Saiyaara is stunning. Cinematographer Vikas Sivaraman uses the mountain landscapes and soft lighting to create a dreamy, melancholic atmosphere. But Mohit Suri’s direction feels stuck in the past. He revisits tropes from Aashiqui 2, Ek Villain, and Half Girlfriend, but without bringing anything new to the table.
Even emotional scenes that should land fall flat, due to uninspired dialogue and predictable setups.
What Works
- Soulful, well-produced music
- Stunning visuals and romantic aesthetics
- Sincere efforts by both debut actors
- Familiar comfort for die-hard Mohit Suri fans
What Doesn’t
- A second half that drags with predictable drama
- Weak, cliché-ridden storyline
- Poor dialogue and uneven pacing
- Underdeveloped characters and emotional arcs
Box Office Collection of the Saiyaara Movie
Saiyaara’s box office report shows a strong start for this musical drama, especially considering its estimated budget of ₹30 crore. Backed by director Mohit Suri and starring debutants Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, the film collected a solid ₹7.2 crore in advance bookings, even before hitting theaters. On opening day, Ahaan Panday’s debut movie earnings ranged between ₹15 crore to ₹19.6 crore, making it one of the best opening days for a newcomer-led film this year. With such promising numbers, Saiyaara is well on its way to recovering costs and could become one of the top-performing Mohit Suri films at the box office.
Read our Saiyaara Day 1 collection breakdown for an early look at how it’s performing commercially.
Saiyaara OTT Release Dates
Netflix is expected to acquire rights. A release window is likely late September to early October 2025, typically 8–10 weeks after theatrical premiere .
Final Verdict: Pretty, But Emotionally Hollow
Saiyaara is the kind of film that tries to touch your heart, but only reaches your ears with its beautiful music. Everything else, story, emotions, and dialogues, feels dated and shallow. Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda show promise, but they deserve a better script to truly shine.
If you’re heading to the theatres hoping for a Mohit Suri classic, manage your expectations. You’ll enjoy the songs, maybe shed a tear or two, but you’ll also forget the film by next week.
Comment below what your take on this movie is!
FAQs
Q1. Is Saiyaara a hit or a flop?
Too early to say, but the reviews are mixed, and the plot has disappointed many.
Q2. Is Ahaan Panday’s debut successful?
Performance-wise, yes. Script-wise, no. He shows potential but needs stronger roles.
Q3. Does the film have good music?
Absolutely. The soundtrack is one of the film’s strongest points.
Q4. Is Saiyaara worth watching in theatres?
Only if you love musical love stories and don’t mind a predictable script.
Q5. What are the main issues with the film?
Weak writing, cliched romantic drama, and underwhelming emotional payoff.
Q6. What is the runtime of Saiyaara?
2 hours 30 minutes
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