Saiyaara (2025) Review: Why Mohit Suri’s Musical Romance Hits Some Wrong Notes

Yash Raj Films takes another swing at young romance with Saiyaara, putting Mohit Suri back in the director’s chair. The film introduces Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda as fresh faces hoping to make their mark in Bollywood.

Suri, who previously gave us hits like Aashiqui 2, returns to familiar territory with this musical love story. The film comes with the production backing that YRF is known for, setting expectations quite high from the start.

The Love Story

At its heart, Saiyaara tells us about Vaani and Krish, two people whose worlds couldn’t be more different. She’s a writer, he’s a singer, and somehow they create beautiful music when their paths cross.

The story explores how love can bloom between people from completely different backgrounds. Their journey becomes about finding common ground while staying true to who they are individually.

What caught my attention was how the film uses music as the bridge between these two characters. It’s not just background score – the songs actually move the story forward in meaningful ways.

However, the plot doesn’t always live up to its musical promises. There are moments where you feel like you’ve seen this story before, just with different actors and songs.

Fresh Faces on Screen

Ahaan Panday steps into the role of Aryan, a musician dealing with heartbreak. For someone making his debut, he shows glimpses of natural screen presence that could develop into something special.

His performance has rough edges, which is expected for a newcomer. The emotional scenes reveal where he needs more experience, but there’s definitely potential to work with.

Aneet Padda plays Meher, an art curator carrying her own emotional baggage. Her casting aligns with Suri’s preference for natural beauty over artificial enhancements, and it shows in her authentic screen presence.

The supporting cast includes seasoned actors who help stabilize scenes when the newcomers struggle. Their experience becomes particularly valuable during the film’s more dramatic moments.

High Points

The film’s music department deserves praise for creating songs that actually serve the story. Unlike many recent films where songs feel forced, here they flow naturally with the narrative.

Production quality meets YRF standards, giving the film a polished look that enhances the romantic atmosphere. The cinematography captures intimate moments effectively without overdoing the visual effects.

I appreciated how Suri handles the romantic scenes with restraint. He doesn’t rely on over-the-top gestures but finds beauty in smaller, quieter moments between the leads.

The musical theme gives this love story a distinctive flavor that sets it apart from typical boy-meets-girl narratives we see regularly.

Where It Falls Short

The biggest problem I noticed was the predictable storyline. Despite having music as a fresh angle, the film follows a path that feels too familiar and safe.

Pacing issues crop up regularly, with some scenes dragging unnecessarily. The film could have been tighter with better editing choices that maintained momentum.

Character development stays mostly on the surface. While we learn about Vaani and Krish, we never really get deep enough to fully understand what drives them beyond their obvious traits.

The dialogue writing occasionally feels forced, especially during emotional confrontations. Some lines come across as trying too hard to sound profound or meaningful.

Critical and Audience Response

IMDb users have given the film a 6.4 rating, suggesting mixed feelings among general audiences. This middle-ground score reflects the film’s inability to fully satisfy either critics or viewers.

Rotten Tomatoes critics show 65% positive reviews, but the 5.1 average rating tells a different story about the quality of those positive reviews.

Trade publications like Bollywood Hungama showed more enthusiasm, with Taran Adarsh awarding 4.5 stars. This suggests the film works better for those already invested in the romantic genre.

The divide between critical and audience reception highlights how the film appeals to specific tastes rather than achieving broad-based satisfaction.

Public Reaction

Social media buzz around the film has been significant, particularly among younger viewers who connected with the musical romance angle. The film definitely found its target audience here.

However, older viewers and those seeking more substantial storytelling have been less impressed. Comments range from calling it “teenager-focused” to questioning the story’s depth and originality.

The marketing campaign built considerable hype, which may have worked against the film when it couldn’t meet heightened expectations. Sometimes less fanfare works better for films like this.

Word-of-mouth remains mixed, with passionate defenders and equally vocal critics creating ongoing debates about the film’s merits and shortcomings.

Final Thoughts

Saiyaara works as a musical romance that knows its target audience and delivers what they’re looking for. The problem is it doesn’t offer much beyond that specific appeal.

Mohit Suri shows he understands the genre, but this film doesn’t reach the emotional heights of his previous successes. It feels like a step sideways rather than forward in his career.

I’d recommend this to viewers who enjoy romantic dramas with good music and don’t mind familiar storylines. The newcomers show enough promise to make their screen time worthwhile.

For those seeking innovative storytelling or complex character development, this might not satisfy your expectations. But if you’re in the mood for a light musical romance, Saiyaara delivers adequately.

Rating: 3/5