A new film titled “Saiyaara” was released today. Initially, I wasn’t very interested in it. However, the buzz surrounding the movie in the last couple of days, especially since it’s a “Yash Raj Films” production without any big names on the poster, piqued my curiosity. The trailer was decent, and the songs were quite catchy. There was also some speculation about whether they were launching a relative of a known actor.
Unprecedented Advance Bookings
When the bookings for “Saiyaara” opened, I was astonished by the numbers. In national multiplex chains like “PVR Inox Cinepolis,” the ticket sales were staggering. To put it in perspective, for the big releases of 2025 such as “Kesari 2 movie,” “Sitare Zameen Par movie,” “Sky Four movie,” “Superman movie,” “Jurassic World movie,” “Game Changer movie,” “F1 movie,” “Raid Two movie,” “Housefull 5 movie,” “Sikandar movie,” and “Mission Impossible movie,“ “Saiyaara” had the second-highest advance bookings, trailing only behind “Chhava.”
Almost 200,000 tickets were sold in advance. In comparison, another recent love story with more recognizable actors sold only 18,000 tickets. The massive difference made me wonder about the marketing strategy behind this success. There were whispers of fake bookings, but the turnout on the first day in my relatively small city of about 3.4 million people suggested otherwise. The first-day-first-show was attended by at least 15 people, mostly college students and young adults around the age of 25.
A Familiar Yet Fresh Plot
The story revolves around the male lead, Krish, a singer who aspires to become a superstar. The female lead is a talented writer who is dealing with significant personal trauma, leaving her in a constant state of sadness. One day, their paths cross. Krish is portrayed as a reckless character—angry, driving erratically, and getting into fights. He is a clear red flag. The narrative explores the development of a relationship between a woman grappling with trauma and this troubled individual.
The concept of a love story with newcomers is not new. An example that comes to my mind is “Aashiqui 2,” starring Shraddha Kapoor and Aditya Roy Kapur. “Saiyaara” seems to have captured a similar magic. While I’m not making a direct comparison, as I haven’t rewatched “Aashiqui 2” since my teenage years, “Saiyaara” evoked a similar feeling.
The story I’ve outlined isn’t complete; there are twists that I won’t reveal to avoid spoilers. The core idea is that a struggling musician finds his inspiration through pain and heartbreak. While it follows a familiar path, the film doesn’t feel like a direct copy of any other movie. There are unique elements, particularly a significant twist after the main love story is established, that add a layer of enjoyable complexity. Although the events that unfold are serious and at times intense, you might find yourself engrossed in a way you didn’t expect.
The Soul of the Movie: Its Music
The film’s biggest selling point, in my opinion, is its music. The songs are not just good; they are exceptional in some instances. I didn’t count them, but there are at least five or six tracks, and most of them will stay with you long after you’ve left the theater. The songs are the backbone of the film, carrying the narrative forward.
The movie relies so heavily on its music that the development of the love story between the two main characters is primarily shown through the songs. At one point, I wondered if there was a specific scene where the characters had a profound realization about their feelings for each other, but it seems that even those moments were woven into the musical sequences. Thankfully, the music is outstanding, which is a significant reason for the film’s success. This shouldn’t come as a surprise, as the director is Mohit Suri, who also directed “Aashiqui 2,” “Ek Villain,” “Hamari Adhuri Kahani,” “Half Girlfriend,” and “Malang.”
Impressive Debut Performances
Another aspect that seems to have resonated with the younger audience is the mystery surrounding the two lead actors, who are not well-known. The male lead, as I mentioned, was rumored to be related to Ananya Pandey. Considering this is likely his first film, his performance has some rough edges, but he is still better than many recent debutants.
However, the biggest surprise of the film is the female lead, Aneeth Padda. Her performance was remarkably polished for a newcomer. A fun fact I noticed is that from certain angles, she resembles a younger version of Aditi Rao Hydari.
There were some minor technical flaws. In a few scenes, the dialogue delivery and lip-syncing were slightly off. The director’s ambition in prolonging certain shots led to some timing issues. Also, the product placement was quite noticeable, from the hero’s Harley Davidson X440 to Sonata watches. One detail that struck me as odd was the female lead’s family living in a beautiful house in Mumbai but driving a Tata Punch.
There was a scene in the movie that made me wonder how it got past the censor board.
Final Verdict
I went into the movie without high expectations and was pleasantly surprised. “Saiyaara” is a decent film where the romance, drama, and tragedy work well together. The music is the standout element, and a special shout-out goes to everyone involved in its creation.
While it may not reach the level of “Aashiqui 2,” it’s a very good effort. The female lead delivers a wonderful performance. I believe the target audience, those 25 and under, will enjoy it a lot. Some scenes were a bit melodramatic for my personal taste, and there were a few questionable moments in the plot. I should also mention that while Ahaan Pandey’s acting was okay, his body language was very good.
If the marketing for “Saiyaara” has already captured your interest, you should give it a watch. Don’t go in expecting an absolute masterpiece, but there is a strong possibility that this film will connect with you on an emotional level. I would say go for it. If you’re still undecided, check out the trailer.
