Saiyaara: 7 questions we want to ask Mohit Suri after watching Ahaan-Aneet's film

India Today

24-07-2025

Last week, 'Saiyaara' arrived dressed like a timeless love story, achingly emotional, stunningly cinematic, and laced with soulful music. Directed by Mohit Suri and featuring debutants Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, the film leans into familiar romantic tropes: star-crossed lovers, a tragic illness, and a love that refuses to fade. Yet it seems to be working - if box office numbers and social media reactions arse anything to go by. With earnings already touching Rs 150 crore, the makers are laughing their way to bank, while audiences are reportedly sobbing in theatres - one viewer even watched it with IV drip attached.advertisementBut peel back the sentimentality from the success of 'Saiyaara', and cracks begin to show. From glaring similarities to a well-known Korean film (A Moment to Remember) to the predictable narrative and overindulgent melodrama, 'Saiyaara' struggles to find its own voice. The emotion is real, but is it perfect? Honestly, it falters. Quite a few times.Here's a closer look at the flaws that hold 'Saiyaara' back from becoming the unforgettable perfect love story it wants to be. Mohit Suri, are you listening?1. A moment to remember, or not?
A viral video did what critics were expecting - it held 'Saiyaara' and 'A Moment to Remember' side by side, and, well, the resemblance wasn't just uncanny, it was borderline photocopied. From swoony glances, actions, to tear-jerking moments between the leads, the deja vu is real. Marketed as an original love story, 'Saiyaara' turns out to be a well-packaged remake with subtitles swapped for sobs.
Jung Woo-sung and Son Ye-jin featured as the lead actors in A Moment to Remember.
Many also felt that the subject was not adapted well enough for an Indian context. The healthcare system and social stigma around Alzheimer's are vastly different in India, but it wasn't explored well, making the subject feel a bit distant.2. Dr Logic, where art thou?Vaani (Aneet Padda) being diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's at age 22 is where 'Saiyaara' officially swaps medical logic for melodrama. In real life, neurologists would call this extremely rare, almost unicorn-level rare. But in the world of 'Saiyaara', symptoms appear faster than plot twists. One moment she's singing love songs, the next she's wandering off, suffering memory lapses, only to magically recall her lover in the climax. It's Alzheimer's on fast-forward, a diagnosis defying science and wrapped in full Bollywood style drama..3. Trauma glossed overWhile Saiyaara brings Alzheimer's to the centre of its tragic love story, it barely pauses to explore what that actually means for Vaani, her family, or anyone around her. There's little talk of diagnosis, no mention of treatment plans, and caregiving seems to be left entirely to Krish, the boyfriend. Because in true filmy fashion, her parents, after hearing the life-altering news about their daughter having a degenerative brain condition, decide to leave her with her emotionally fragile, guitar-strumming boyfriend for a whole month. Like, really? No counsellors, no medical support, just vibes and vague promises. The portrayal of the medical condition and its effect on people around, becomes a cinematic shortcut to get maximum tears with minimum research. 4. The saviour syndromeadvertisementVaani may be battling a memory-erasing illness, but that doesn't stop her from emotionally rescuing Krish - the angry, angsty musician with daddy issues and zero direction. She swoops into his chaotic life like a guardian angel. From calming his temper, encouraging his art, to basically becoming his support system, she portrays saviour syndrome in the garb of love. Instead of allowing both characters to grow together, the film leans into the tired trope of the 'damaged boy' and the 'good girl who heals him', only to then swiftly change gears and show him as the knight in shining armour. Is that what we want to tell our kids, that your lover will save you?5. The troubled artist with real daddy issuesAnd no, the daddy issues we mentioned aren't just for dramatic flair; Krish Kapoor has a toxic, alcoholic father (played by Varun Badola). Yes, his childhood was rough. But 'Saiyaara' stretches that pain into a full-blown licence for adult misbehaviour. From living rent-free with his friends to throwing violent tantrums, including beating up a journalist for his review, Krish is less a 'tortured artist' and more a man-child with a mic. Art doesn't justify arrogance, and trauma doesn't excuse toxicity. It's high time Bollywood stops confusing brokenness with depth and passion.advertisement6. The (Un)bandKrish is apparently a rising music star, but you would barely know it. He abandons a concert tour midway, no explanation, no real consequences (realistically, that would mean lawsuits or at least a major PR crisis). The entire band subplot feels like filler, with little depth or industry realism. Supporting characters, including his bandmates, exist only to add brief tension and then vanish without impact. For a film so rooted in love and ambition, 'Saiyaara' treats everyone outside the central couple as disposable, and we need to ask the director why! 7. Need privacy, even in loveLove is all about connection, but not at the cost of consent. At one point, Krish reads Vaani's personal diary and turns her most intimate thoughts into lyrics for his songs, without even informing her! It's framed as romantic, but in reality, is it? No, it's actually an invasion of privacy. Also, instead of showing genuine emotional intimacy, the film relies on grand gestures, voiceovers and swelling music to do the heavy lifting. Is this what's left about love today?- EndsDo share your thoughts about Saiyaara in the comment box below.You May Also Like