Saiyaara Movie Review (2025): Mohit Suri Paints Love With Pain and Poetry

🎬 Directed by: Mohit Suri

🎭 Starring: Ahaan Panday, Aneet Padda, Varun Badola

🎵 Music: Mithoon, Vishal Mishra, Sachet–Parampara, Tanishk Bagchi & more

🕰 Runtime: 2h 12min

⭐ Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

“Some love stories never need a happy ending — they only need to be remembered.”

Saiyaara isn’t just a film — it’s a melody dipped in longing, a memory carved in heartbreak, and a cinematic love letter to the lovers who loved deeply, even if it didn’t last forever.

The Story: A Love Written in Raindrops and Silence

Set in a modern yet melancholic Mumbai, Saiyaara follows Krish Kapoor (Ahaan Panday), a soft-spoken, emotionally scarred music producer, who crosses paths with Vaani Batra (Aneet Padda), a fiercely creative lyricist dealing with a hidden emotional trauma of her own.

Their bond builds not in words, but in unfinished songs, unspoken glances, and long silences. But when fate reveals Vaani’s early-onset Alzheimer’s diagnosis, the story pivots from blooming love to slow-burning grief — forcing Krish to choose between holding on or letting go.

Performances: The Rise of New Stars

  • Ahaan Panday delivers a surprisingly restrained yet mature performance in his debut. There’s pain in his silence, a storm behind his calm. He never overacts, and that’s his strength.
  • Aneet Padda is a revelation. Vulnerable yet vibrant, she owns every frame. Her breakdown in the mirror scene will stay with audiences long after the credits roll.
  • Varun Badola, as Krish’s estranged father, brings weight and wisdom in a short but impactful role.

Together, their chemistry feels raw, unforced — like two strangers slowly becoming each other’s home.

Music: When Songs Say What Words Cannot

If love had a soundtrack, it would be Saiyaara.
Each track — from the haunting “Barbaad” to the soul-soothing “Tum Ho Toh” — doesn’t just accompany the film; it elevates it. This is vintage Mohit Suri territory — where music is not background, it’s backbone.

Composers like Mithoon, Faheem Abdullah, and Sachet-Parampara strike emotional gold. The lyrics by Manoj Muntashir and others echo pain, purpose, and poetry. “Saiyaara” (the title track) will likely become the heartbreak anthem of the year.

Direction & Cinematography: Classic Suri With Evolution

Mohit Suri returns to the genre he helped redefine (Aashiqui 2, Ek Villain), but this time with more emotional maturity and visual elegance. Gone are the over-the-top drama and unnecessary villains — replaced by stillness, subtlety, and soulful storytelling.

Vikas Sivaraman’s cinematography uses yellow-blue palettes to reflect hope and sadness. Rain becomes a character of its own. Every frame looks like a painting — sometimes cold, sometimes comforting.

Writing & Dialogues: Understated, Yet Impactful

The script (by Mohit Suri and Aseem Arora) doesn’t scream for attention. It allows moments to breathe. Dialogues like “Kuch pyaar baatein nahi, yaadein chhod jaate hain” hit deep without melodrama.

What Works:

✅ Realistic portrayal of love and memory loss
✅ Stunning music that carries emotional weight
✅ Fresh lead pair with compelling chemistry
✅ Honest direction — vulnerable, not manipulative
✅ Strong visual aesthetic and mood consistency

What Doesn’t:

❌ Predictable story arc — echoes The Notebook and A Moment to Remember
❌ Second half drags slightly
❌ Some side characters feel underwritten

Final Verdict:

Saiyaara is a film that understands the language of broken hearts. It’s a reminder that love, even when fleeting, leaves behind music, memories, and meaning. Mohit Suri doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel — he polishes it with emotional honesty, cinematic beauty, and lyrical soul.

For those who’ve ever loved and lost — this film will sing to you.

Should You Watch It?

YES, if you:

  • Loved Aashiqui 2, La La Land, or The Fault in Our Stars
  • Want a love story that’s poetic, not preachy
  • Believe heartbreak can be beautiful

Maybe Skip, if you:

  • Prefer fast-paced narratives
  • Expect plot twists or high-concept drama

Final Rating: 4/5

“A beautiful pain that lingers — Saiyaara is this generation’s softest scream of love.”