Saiyaara Review: Watch It For The Leads, Not The Hype

I never intended to watch Saiyaara because the songs did not catch my attention, and the trailer made it seem like it was all about steamy scenes. However, over the weekend, the constant stream of glowing reviews and reels featuring the soundtrack piqued my curiosity. Before I knew it, I had booked a seat at the nearest theatre. So yes, I gave in to the hype, and honestly, I’m glad I did. It turned out to be a pretty decent watch. Seeing two fresh faces on the big screen after such a long time made the experience feel refreshing, and here’s what I found likable and unlikable about the movie.

Saiyaara (2025)

Image Credit: Yash Raj Films

Vaani Batra (Aneet Padda) is a young journalist and writer who is left heartbroken after her fiancé ditches her on their wedding day. Looking to start over, she joins a media house as an intern, where she crosses paths with Krish Kapoor (Ahaan Panday), an intense, unpredictable musician with temper issues. He’s got the talent to make it big, but life’s curveballs keep holding him back from the stardom he craves. As fate would have it, these two emotionally bruised souls end up working on a project together and slowly, inevitably, fall in love. But life is not rosy for them, and their love ends up facing challenges they never saw coming.

I Enjoyed Watching Saiyaara Because…

…I really liked the fresh new leads. First, let me start with the female lead, Aneet Padda. OMG, this girl was phenomenal! This is her first time as a lead, so of course, she is still finding her footing, but honestly, for a newcomer, she was so good. Her face is naturally beautiful (touchwood!), and her expressions were spot on. 

Image Credit: Yash Raj Films

Her eyes, in particular, were incredibly expressive. For example, in the scene where she finds out her fiancé isn’t coming for their court marriage, she doesn’t do much with her face, but her eyes say it all. Later, after spending months cooped up in her room, when she finally steps out for a job interview, she carries that nervous, under-confident body language so convincingly. You can really feel Vaani’s pain.

And her voice!! I loved her voice from the trailer itself. Her dialogue delivery was solid, too. I genuinely feel that if she picks the right films and gets the support she deserves, she has the potential to become an amazing actress, as she has serious talent.

Now, coming to the male lead, Ahaan Panday, I think he’s got solid screen presence. His entry scene has him stepping off his bike, pulling on a jacket..that scene is totally whistle-worthy. His tall frame and enviable physique definitely add to his overall charisma and on-screen impact. His acting did feel a bit one-dimensional at times, but I wouldn’t blame him for that, because that’s just how the character Krish is written. Krish is brooding, reserved, and does not express much, so in that sense, Ahaan actually nailed it. He played the part exactly as required.

Image Credit: Yash Raj Films

I absolutely loved Vaani and Krish together. Aneet and Ahaan shared great on-screen chemistry; they looked so in love, it was easy to forget they were acting. And that’s what really worked for me. Just like Shraddha Kapoor and Aditya Roy Kapur looked magical together in Aashiqui 2, Aneet and Ahaan also made a beautiful, believable pair.

Image Credit: Yash Raj Films

Image Credit: Yash Raj Films

If these newcomers turned out to be so impressive, a lot of the credit goes to director Mohit Suri. He clearly knew how to tap into their potential and bring out performances that felt real and nuanced. I say this especially because I have seen some older videos of Ahaan Panday floating around online, where he used to mimic Shah Rukh Khan a lot. It is obvious he is a big fan, so it wouldn’t have been surprising if bits of SRK showed up in his acting.

But in the film, there wasn’t even a hint of SRK in his performance, which actually impressed me. Maybe it’s also because Krish isn’t the kind of character SRK usually played. So, Ahaan brought Krish to life in his own distinct way, and that says a lot about both his potential and the director’s ability to guide raw talent.  

Apart from the leads, I found the supporting cast also to be good. Big shout out to Geeta Aggarwal Sharma, who plays Vaani’s mother. She was simply amazing as the loving, worried, slightly paranoid mom 😄. After Aneet, hers was the performance that really stayed with me. Her role was short, but her sincere performance made it memorable for me.

 

I Did NOT Like Saiyaara because…

…I found pretty much everything about this film to be over-hyped. Like, seriously… OVER-HYPED. It’s a decent movie, definitely watchable, but the way it’s being marketed as some “Gen-Z version” of Aashiqui or Aashiqui 2 is not right. The story feels way more millennial. 😀 There’s nothing particularly Gen-Z about it, except maybe the bit where Vaani’s parents allow her to live with her boyfriend for two months. That’s about it.

Also, let’s be real, the movie is ‘inspired’ by a Korean film with a very similar plot, so it’s hardly ground-breaking or “new-age love.”

Now, coming to the music, no way does it come close to Aashiqui or Aashiqui 2. I watched the whole film and honestly, I can’t remember a single track. I didn’t even notice when a song started or ended. Compare that to the unforgettable guitar intro in “Saanson Ki Zaroorat” from Aashiqui or the iconic piano notes in “Tum Hi Ho” from Aashiqui 2; those gave you chills. With Saiyaara, I even struggled to recall the title track afterward. I don’t know why the music is being hyped so much; for me, it was decent, just not memorable enough.

 

After watching Saiyaara, I’d say it’s worth a one-time watch, but it’s definitely not something to rave about. What is puzzling, though, is all the dramatic reels and “audience reactions” online. It honestly makes me wonder if it is part of a PR strategy designed to make the film look like a fan-favorite. I could be wrong, but it feels like the marketing team is trying to frame the hype as organic, like it’s the audience that’s going crazy, not the PR team pulling strings behind the scenes.

For me, Saiyaara is a 3.5 out of 5. But the hype? That’s trying really hard to make it feel like a 10. Watch it for its impressive lead actors and a decent emotional storyline, but don’t expect a masterpiece.   

 

Also Read: