Tender love story, finally

A story of love and longing, struggle, sacrifice and success, ‘Saiyaara’ (wanderer) was originally meant to be the much-awaited ‘Aashiqui 3’. With Mohit Suri at the helm, the packed halls are a testimony that there are still takers for a love story in the times of war, violence and hatred.

At the heart of this romantic musical drama is Krish Kapoor (Ahaan Panday), a gifted but deeply troubled musician on the cusp of fame. Along the way, he meets Vaani Batra (Aneet Padda), a writer, nursing a heartbreak of her own. The two come together creatively — and emotionally — to craft a chartbuster, forming a cute pair along the way. But fame and love rarely walk the same road. Krish must choose between the ambition that has fuelled his journey so far and the love that has begun to ground him.

Romance has long been Bollywood’s favourite muse, and Mohit Suri’s cinema thrives on passion and pain. The film dives headfirst into this emotional palette. However, its narrative turn — a young woman battling the early onset of Alzheimer’s — feels more like a jerky twist than a deeply embedded plotline. While it brings poignancy, it doesn’t feel organic.

Though, by the time this revelation unfolds, one is already emotionally invested in the journey and overlooks this bit. The film, blending the tragic devotion of ‘Aashiqui 2’ with the emotional premise of ‘50 First Dates’, takes the ‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’ route next. Only, since it’s India, this story is rather intense, with bursts of violence.

Suri’s gamble in casting newcomers pays off. Ahaan Panday (Ananya Panday’s cousin) steps into the spotlight with a brooding charm (the film addresses nepotism early on in the story). He is able to live that troubled young boy ‘reformed’ by love arc rather convincingly, drawing empathy right from the start. You root for his dreams, even when he falters.

Aneet Padda, the Amritsar girl, is a breath of fresh air. She fits the innocent do-gooder mould quite perfectly. She is charming, honest and sincere in her act. A typical Gen Z, one who looks for inspiration and motivation, and can’t deal with pressures, her character has been written with much love.

While the fresh pair carries the innocence and naivety of love on their shoulders, gravitas is provided by consummate actors Geeta Agarwal, Rajesh Kumar and Varun Badola. Parent-child dynamics and friendship add texture to this love saga.

True to Suri’s style, ‘Saiyaara’ leans heavily on its music — and delivers. From the hauntingly beautiful ‘Humsafar’ to the title track ‘Saiyaara’, the songs resonate with emotion, anchoring the story’s highs and lows. The background score is well-balanced — melodic when needed, still when silence says enough.

As with Suri’s previous hits like ‘Kalyug’, ‘Woh Lamhe’ and ‘Awarapan’, the music in ‘Saiyaara’ doesn’t just accompany the film — it elevates it.

That said, pacing is an issue. At 156 minutes, the film moves leisurely, at times lingering way too long on emotional beats. For audiences accustomed to fast-paced narratives or thrill-laden plots, this one may feel indulgent.

But if you’re a sucker for Bollywood romance with songs, grand declarations of love and picturesque backdrops, ‘Saiyaara’ is for you. It’s a film that believes in love, soulmates and the idea that the one you fall for is the one you’re meant to marry.

In a world getting increasingly familiarised with chaos and cynicism, ‘Saiyaara’ reminds us that sometimes, a tender love story is exactly what the heart needs.

The ending, however, may leave you wanting for more.

Movie Review