Saiyaara is a 2025 Indian Hindi-language musical romantic drama film directed by Mohit Suri and produced by Yash Raj Films. Loosely inspired by the 2004 Korean film A Moment to Remember, it stars debutant Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda in lead roles. The film tells the story of Krish Kapoor, a troubled musician, and Vaani Batra, a poet, whose love is tested by heartbreak and illness.
Released on 18 July 2025, Saiyaara became a critical and commercial success, earning praise for the lead performances, Suri’s direction, and its chart-topping soundtrack. It grossed an estimated ₹568.65 crore worldwide, making it the second highest-grossing Hindi film of 2025, the second highest-grossing Indian film of the year, and the highest-grossing Indian romantic film of all time.
Plot
The story follows Vaani Batra, a shy poet abandoned by her fiancé, who spirals into depression. She meets Krish Kapoor, an unstable but passionate musician. Drawn together by art and pain, they heal each other and fall in love.
Their bond is challenged when Vaani is diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, threatening their future. Despite heartbreak and memory loss, Krish supports her unconditionally. Music becomes their anchor, especially the song “Saiyaara,” which symbolizes their enduring love.
The film concludes with the couple reuniting after separation, as Vaani regains fragments of memory, and Krish dedicates his music to her forever.
Cast
- Ahaan Panday as Krish Kapoor
- Aneet Padda as Vaani Batra
- Geeta Agrawal Sharma as Mrs. Batra
- Rajesh Kumar as Mr. Batra
- Varun Badola as Ashok Kapoor
- Alam Khan as KV
- Shaan Grover as Mahesh Iyer
- Supporting roles: Sid Makkar, Anngad Raaj, Neil Bhoopalam, Ritika Murthy, Mohit Wadhwa
Production
The film was announced by Yash Raj Films with Mohit Suri as director. Principal photography took place from September 2024 to March 2025 across Mumbai, Alibaug, and Manali. Suri originally conceived the project as part of the Aashiqui franchise before developing it independently.
Music
The soundtrack, released on 4 July 2025, features seven songs by composers Mithoon, Tanishk Bagchi, Sachet-Parampara, Vishal Mishra, Rishabh Kant, Faheem Abdullah, and Arslan Nizami, with vocals by Arijit Singh, Shreya Ghoshal, Jubin Nautiyal, and others. The album, led by the title track Saiyaara, was widely praised and became a major factor in the film’s popularity.
Release and Reception
Cleared with a U/A certificate, Saiyaara premiered in theatres on 18 July 2025. It opened to strong box office numbers, setting a record for the highest debut for a Hindi film led by a newcomer. Within weeks, it crossed multiple milestones, including ₹300 crore globally in its first 10 days.
Critics lauded the chemistry between Panday and Padda, the emotional depth, and the music, though some found the story familiar. Reviews highlighted it as a heartfelt musical love story, with Bollywood Hungama rating it 4.5/5 and most outlets giving 3–3.5 stars.
Legacy
Saiyaara not only established Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda as rising stars but also reaffirmed Mohit Suri’s reputation as a director of musical romances. With its commercial success and emotional resonance, it became a defining Hindi romantic film of the decade.
