Yash Raj Films’ latest romantic offering, Saiyaara, directed by Mohit Suri, introduces Ahaan Panday to the silver screen alongside the endearing Aneet Padda. With Saiyaara, Suri steps into the YRF universe for the very first time—and what blossoms from this collaboration is a heartfelt, soul-soaked love story bathed in music, melancholy, and magic.
Vaani Batra (Aneet Padda) is abandoned by her fiancé Mahesh Iyer (Shaan Groverr) at the most emotionally vulnerable moment—just as their token number is called at the marriage registrar’s office. Left adrift in heartbreak, she picks up the scattered pieces of her life and finds herself at a publication house in search of a job. But fate, ever the romantic poet, has other plans.
There she collides—quite literally—with Krish Kapoor (Ahaan Panday), a rebellious, misunderstood artist. Their first meeting is anything but gentle, but it’s the beginning of something larger than both of them. In a striking twist of fate, Krish stumbles upon lines from Vaani’s personal diary and turns them into a song—one that connects and seals a deal. The words that bled from her heartbreak become the rhythm of his impending stardom.
From stolen glances to shared silences, from arguments to art, their bond deepens. And just when the heart begins to believe that this is it—that love has finally found its rhythm—a twist of destiny brings the melody to a haunting pause. A fourth angle unexpectedly enters their world, adding complexity to this delicately layered romance.
Sankalp Sadanah’s story, while not entirely novel, feels refreshing amidst the clutter of loud, superficial romances that have filled the recent cinematic space. It remains honest to its genre—a romantic musical drama with a beating heart. The narrative flows like a poem, sometimes aching, sometimes soaring.
There are moments that linger long after the screen fades to black. One particularly striking scene has Vaani passionately explain the power of timeless songwriting—of creating music that stays long. Another visually lyrical sequence in the first half juxtaposes Krish’s emotional liberation through cricket nets and a live stage performance—bridging two contrasting worlds with poetic elegance. Even the delicate (spoiler alert) moment at the doctor’s clinic is handled with maturity and silence that speaks louder than words.
In what can be considered a dream debut, both Ahaan and Aneet deliver sincere performances. While Ahaan exudes an old-world charm—reminding one of a young Sanjay Dutt, the brooding intensity of Arjun Rampal, and even flashes of Salman Khan from Maine Pyar Kiya—Aneet brings a quiet strength and emotional fragility to Vaani. Together, they light up the screen with a chemistry that is raw, uncertain, and real.