Saiyaara Movie Review: Ahaan Panday’s Emotional Debut

by reviewzinsight.com · 18 July 2025

Saiyaara, released in theaters on July 18, 2025, brings back the soul of Bollywood romance. Director Mohit Suri, known for emotionally charged musical dramas, returns with a film that embraces love, loss, and healing in classic style. With Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda making their debuts, Saiyaara tells a story soaked in longing and layered with music. Backed by Yash Raj Films, the movie has created significant buzz, not just for its heartfelt narrative but also for launching two fresh faces into mainstream cinema.

Plot Summary

The film follows Krish Kapoor, a passionate, emotionally bruised singer-songwriter, who channels his heartbreak into his music. Life throws him off course until he meets Vaani Batra, a talented lyricist recovering from her own emotional wound—her fiancé abandoned her on their wedding day. The two creative souls find each other through music and trauma, writing songs that reflect their shattered hearts.

As they begin to collaborate, Krish and Vaani form a bond that grows deeper than either expected. However, just as their love starts to bloom, a sudden tragedy tests the foundation of their relationship. The story moves from passion to pain, from love to introspection, and ultimately asks whether two broken people can build something whole.

Performances

Ahaan Panday, in his first major role, shows immense potential. He does not rely on star-kid charisma. Instead, he brings sincerity, raw energy, and emotional fragility to the role of Krish. His scenes—especially during musical sequences and emotional breakdowns—strike a chord. Ahaan handles both the physicality of a rock musician and the vulnerability of a heartbroken man with maturity.

Aneet Padda as Vaani delivers a powerful, graceful performance. She navigates Vaani’s grief with restraint, never allowing the character to fall into melodrama. Her chemistry with Ahaan drives the film forward. In every scene, she holds her ground and commands attention without theatrics.

Varun Badola appears in a supporting role as Krish’s father. His presence adds emotional weight and grounds Krish’s backstory. Even with limited screen time, he contributes to the layered emotional atmosphere.

Direction and Screenplay

Director Mohit Suri returns to familiar territory. He doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but he polishes it to perfection. He uses flashbacks, rain-soaked streets, candle-lit studios, and slow-motion embraces to heighten the emotion. The scenes feel nostalgic but never outdated. Suri focuses on character-driven storytelling, letting silences and glances speak louder than words.

The screenplay keeps the first half light, romantic, and filled with musical build-up. The second half shifts into dramatic territory with heavier emotional stakes. Suri handles this transition smoothly, using music as a bridge between joy and sorrow. He avoids over-explaining emotions and instead shows them through metaphors, visuals, and lyrics.

Themes

Saiyaara explores familiar romantic terrain but adds refreshing depth. The film examines emotional abandonment, self-worth, and the role of art in healing. Krish and Vaani do not rescue each other in the fairy-tale sense. Instead, they inspire growth in each other. Their love story reflects more than butterflies and candlelight—it reflects real wounds, complicated feelings, and the healing that music can bring.

The movie also discusses emotional masculinity without shame. Krish cries, doubts himself, and talks about his broken family without hesitation. This subtle yet strong representation deserves praise in today’s cinematic landscape.

Music and Technical Brilliance

Music defines Saiyaara. The soundtrack features work from Mithoon, Tanishk Bagchi, and John Stewart Eduri. Songs like Barbaad, Tum Ho Toh, and Dhun perfectly capture the emotions the characters carry. The title track Saiyaara elevates the narrative in the second half with haunting vocals and poetic lyrics.

Each song in the film serves the story. The tracks don’t feel like distractions or filler—they act as emotional punctuation marks. Every melody reflects the characters’ internal states.

Cinematographer Vikas Sivaraman paints every frame with visual poetry. He uses soft, natural light to highlight intimacy and wide shots to capture isolation. His visuals work in tandem with the score to create emotional resonance.

Editors Rohit Makwana and Devendra Murdeshwar maintain a consistent rhythm, though the film stretches slightly longer than needed. At 2 hours and 36 minutes, a few scenes in the final act could have used trimming for tighter impact.

Box Office and Commercial Reception

The film opened to strong numbers. It secured over ₹7 crore in advance bookings before its release. On day one, early estimates reported a box-office collection of ₹12–13 crore. These numbers surpass several other recent youth-led films. Theatres across major metro cities reported houseful morning and evening shows, especially among the 18–30 age group.

Audience reception remains overwhelmingly positive. Viewers praised the chemistry between Ahaan and Aneet and raved about the emotional depth and soundtrack. Youth audiences in particular connected with the modern yet emotional storytelling. Word-of-mouth has boosted its footfall steadily into the weekend.

Trade experts expect Saiyaara to cross ₹50 crore in the first week alone, putting it on track for a blockbuster tag considering its estimated budget of ₹36 crore.

Public and Critical Response

Film critics responded with mixed-to-positive reviews. Most highlighted the strong performances and immersive soundtrack while pointing out the predictable nature of the story. Some called the screenplay formulaic in parts, but others applauded Mohit Suri’s restrained direction and the leads’ emotionally mature portrayals.

Social media buzz took off instantly. Hashtags like #SaiyaaraMagic and #AhaanPandayDebut trended within hours of the first show. Fans declared it the best musical romance in recent memory and hailed it as a worthy spiritual successor to Aashiqui 2.

Notably, Chunky Panday posted heartfelt congratulations for his nephew Ahaan. Ananya Panday, Ahaan’s cousin, also shared photos from the premiere, calling him “little bean turned leading man.” The industry has embraced Ahaan and Aneet as promising new faces.

Censorship and Controversy

The CBFC gave Saiyaara a U/A certificate. However, they removed a few seconds of intimate visuals during one romantic song. Netizens criticized this move, calling it unnecessary and regressive. Despite these minor cuts, the emotional content remained intact and impactful.

Streaming and Future Plans

While the theatrical run remains strong, sources within the industry suggest that Netflix has already secured the digital rights. The OTT release is expected in September 2025, approximately six to eight weeks after the theatrical window. Given the film’s appeal and youthful target audience, the streaming numbers are projected to be high.

With this momentum, speculations about a sequel or a follow-up musical universe have begun. Mohit Suri, when asked, hinted that he might consider exploring Krish’s character further if the audience demand remains strong.

Final Verdict

Saiyaara delivers a touching, emotional, and musically rich experience. Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda rise above debut expectations and hold the screen like seasoned actors. The story, while familiar, resonates because of its sincerity, emotional intelligence, and Mohit Suri’s firm grasp on musical storytelling.

The film succeeds in reviving the Bollywood love story without cheap gimmicks. It uses the power of music, pain, and personal growth to tell a story that feels both old-fashioned and contemporary.

Rating: 3.5/5

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