Image: Movie Scene from Saiyaara

Okay, let me just say this upfront - I went into this movie with zero expectations and came out absolutely wrecked. In the best way possible.

So I finally caught Saiyaara last weekend (yes, I'm that person who's always late to the movie party), and honestly? I can't stop thinking about it. Like, it's been 2 days and I'm still randomly humming that title track while doing laundry.

The Story Hit Different

Look, I'll be real with you - when I heard it was about a musician and a poet falling in love, I rolled my eyes a little. Another romance? But then Ahaan Panday (who I'd never heard of before, don't @ me) and Aneet Padda just completely sold it.

The whole Alzheimer's storyline could've been super manipulative, you know? But somehow Mohit Suri managed to make it feel genuine instead of like emotional blackmail. When Vaani starts forgetting things and decides to just... disappear to protect Krish? I'm not gonna lie, I ugly cried.

These Newcomers Are Actually Good??

I went in thinking "great, another nepotism baby situation" (sorry Ahaan, but your last name didn't help), natural thing going on that doesn't feel forced or try-hard. And Aneet? Girl's got range. She made me believe every single emotion, especially in those heartbreaking later scenes.Their chemistry felt real too, which is saying something because I'm usually pretty cynical about Bollywood romance.

That Music Though

Can we talk about how "Saiyaara" became the first Bollywood song to hit Spotify's Global Top 5? Because that's actually insane. I've had it on repeat and I'm not even embarrassed about it. Also, shoutout to those guys from Kashmir - Faheem Abdullah and Arslan Nizami - who came to Mumbai with literally 14 days worth of money and ended up creating this banger. That's the kind of underdog story I'm here for.

The Numbers Don't Lie

This movie made ₹278 crores worldwide with two complete unknowns. That's... actually kind of amazing? In 2025, when everyone's complaining about Bollywood being dead, here's a simple love story proving everyone wrong.I mean, ₹28.75 crores on day one for debut actors? That's Shah Rukh-level opening numbers right there.

Why It Actually Works

Here's the thing - in a world of superhero movies and high-concept thrillers, sometimes you just want to feel something real. And Saiyaara does that without being preachy or over-the-top about it. Sure, it's based on that Korean movie (A Moment to Remember, if you're curious), but it doesn't feel like a cheap copy. It feels... Indian. If that makes sense.

My Honest Take

Would I watch it again? Absolutely. Would I recommend it to my friends? Already have. Is it perfect? Nah. But it's good, and more importantly, it made me care about these characters. In an era where I'm usually scrolling through my phone during movies, Saiyaara had me completely glued to the screen. And for a 32-year-old who's seen way too many Bollywood movies, that's saying something.

Bottom line: If you haven't seen it yet, just go. Bring tissues. Thank me later.

PS - That title track is still stuck in my head as I write this. You've been warned.