Saiyaara (2025) Movie ft. Varun, Ahaan, and Aneet

Saiyaara, the latest offering from Yash Raj Films, marks a significant milestone as it introduces two fresh faces to Bollywood – Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda. Directed by Mohit Suri, known for his expertise in crafting romantic dramas, this musical romance explores the complex dynamics of love transcending boundaries.

The narrative centers around Vaani (Aneet Padda), a writer, and Krish (Ahaan Panday), a singer, who create music together despite being poles apart in their lives, beliefs, and backgrounds. Released on July 18, 2025, this Hindi-language musical romantic drama represents another attempt by Yash Raj Films to launch new talent.

Saiyaara

Plot and Storyline Analysis

Saiyaara presents the story of Vaani Batra, a closet poet who is set to get married, and her unexpected encounter with love that changes everything. The film follows the classic romantic drama template where two individuals from different worlds discover their connection through their shared passion for music.

The screenplay attempts to blend traditional romantic elements with modern sensibilities, creating a narrative that speaks to young audiences while maintaining the emotional depth that Mohit Suri is known for. The central conflict arises from the age difference and social circumstances that create obstacles for the protagonists.

Saiyaara

Cast Performance and Character Development

Saiyaara

Ahaan Panday’s Debut Performance

Ahaan Panday steps into Bollywood with considerable expectations, and his portrayal of Krish shows promise for a newcomer. Critics and audiences have noted that Ahaan brings turbulence tempered by vulnerability to his character, creating emotional depth through slow glances and silences. His screen presence suggests natural charisma, though like many debut performances, there are moments where inexperience shows.

Aneet Padda’s Introduction

Aneet Padda brings resolve and strength to her character of Vaani, creating a compelling female lead who has won hearts among audiences. Her portrayal of a closet poet torn between duty and desire showcases her ability to handle complex emotional scenes. The chemistry between the lead pair forms the backbone of the film’s emotional appeal.

Technical Aspects and Direction

Mohit Suri’s Direction

Mohit Suri returns to his comfort zone of romantic dramas, bringing his signature style of emotional storytelling. Known for films that focus on music and relationships, Suri maintains his approach of creating visually appealing romantic sequences paired with memorable soundtracks. His direction allows the music to become a character in itself.

Music and Sound Design

As expected from a Mohit Suri film, music plays a crucial role in Saiyaara. The songs have been particularly well-received by audiences, with many praising their melodic quality and emotional resonance. The soundtrack serves as both entertainment and a storytelling device.

Critical Analysis

What Works

  • Strong musical elements that enhance the storytelling
  • Promising debut performances from both lead actors
  • Emotional depth in key romantic scenes
  • Professional production values from Yash Raj Films
  • Mohit Suri’s experienced handling of the romance genre

What Could Be Better

I found that the film sometimes suffers from recycled plots and overdramatic acting in certain sequences. The narrative occasionally relies too heavily on familiar romantic drama tropes without adding sufficient fresh elements to distinguish itself from similar films.

While the film has been compared to La La Land for its musical romance approach, I noticed that the story gets lost in loopholes at times. The pacing occasionally feels uneven, with certain scenes extending longer than necessary.

Professional Reviews and Critical Reception

Bollywood Hungama awarded Saiyaara a rating of 4.0/5, describing it as a captivating cinematic experience. Professional critics have generally appreciated the film’s emotional core and the fresh energy brought by the newcomers.

Critics have described the film as a flawed yet sincere tale of love, loss, and redemption, acknowledging both its strengths and weaknesses. The consensus suggests that while the film may not break new ground in terms of storytelling, it succeeds in delivering the emotional experience that audiences expect.

Audience Response and Public Reception

Public response has been mixed but generally positive, with many viewers praising the songs and the lead actors’ performances. Audience reviews highlight the film’s ability to create emotional investment in the characters despite familiar plot elements.

Many viewers have described it as definitely a one-time watch that surprised them with how deeply it invests you in its characters. The emotional resonance seems to be the film’s strongest appeal to general audiences.

Final Verdict

Saiyaara represents a solid, if not groundbreaking, entry into the romantic drama genre. While it doesn’t revolutionize the formula, it executes familiar elements with enough sincerity and technical competence to justify its existence.

For audiences seeking a traditional romantic drama with good music and fresh faces, Saiyaara offers sufficient entertainment value. However, those looking for innovative storytelling might find it lacking in originality.

The film works best when it focuses on its musical elements and the chemistry between its leads, but struggles when it tries to navigate complex plot developments. Despite its flaws, I believe Saiyaara manages to create moments of genuine emotion that will resonate with fans of the genre.

Rating: 3.5/5

Rudra Sharma

Rudra Sharma

Content Writer

Rudra Sharma is a film analyst and pop culture writer who has spent the last 6 years decoding cinema across languages. A graduate in Mass Communication from Pune, Rudra's obsession began after watching The Shawshank Redemption during a hostel movie night and realising what great storytelling can do. Since then, he’s been chasing films that leave a mark. You’ll usually find him hunting for underrated gems! View Full Bio