Saiyaara Review: Gen-Z Hype Train or Timeless Bollywood Romance?
Welcome to the very late review of Saiyaara! Yes, I was sceptical about it, so I didn’t catch it in a theatre and waited for the OTT release. But does this film truly have an emotional core connection, or is it merely riding the Gen-Z hype train? Let’s dig in.
When Mohit Suri, the man noted for launching new faces with his romantic Bollywood musicals, jumped ship from the Bhat camp and announced his collaboration with YRF, the internet was buzzing with expectations. When the teaser for this movie was released, fans compared its look and feel, hoping for a sequel to the smash hit Aashiqui 2.
Well, why not? Launch of two new faces? Checked. The lead actor plays the role of a singer? Checked. Amazing songs? Checked. Emotional scenes? Checked. But what does it really deliver? Well, no!
What is the Saiyaara about?
An unofficial remake of the Korean film A Moment to Remember, this film is the love story between the struggling singer Krish Kapoor (Ahaan Panday) and lyricist Vaani (Aneet Padda). How they help each other to get over their weaknesses and achieve their goals, until the sudden discovery of Alzheimer’s in Vaani.
What Works?
Music
I will begin my pros list this time with the music. Yes, it’s damn good. Like Aashiqui 2, Saiyaara’s music is also done by a combined team of music directors like Faheem Abdullah, Mithoon, Sachet Parampara, and others. All the songs are amazing, and they are ruling every chartbuster. But darkness can be found even under the lamp! The music, despite being great, feels repetitive and needs more variety.
Ahaan Panday
Ahaan is a big highlight of this film! He is not given the typical Bollywoodish entry done in most of KJO films. He is grounded, tries his best, and delivers what is needed without overdoing anything. This clutter-free performance makes him look sleek and up to the mark. I think he is the most promising newcomer in the recent past.
Cringe-Free Film
Honestly, when I was watching these reels of people crying relentlessly in the theatres, I was sure that the film would be full of cringey moments. But to my absolute shock, it literally has almost zero cringey moments, and the tone is pretty serious! Honestly, I enjoyed the first hour of the movie. But that’s when the cons kicked in!
What Doesn’t Work?
Zero Depth in Script
I don’t know why Bollywood has stopped making movies with absolute dedication. Saiyaara, too, has been made in haste! For example, the lead pair suddenly falls in love with each other while working together! I mean, seriously? Then, again, Krish Kapoor becomes a sensation with 500 people suddenly coming to chant his name! Since lockdown, many creators have gone viral and then disappeared. But this guy went on to make millions in just a night! Even low-budget romantic films from the south, like Premalu, Love Today, had a script much closer to reality!
Aneet Padda
In 2013, Shraddha Kapoor couldn’t act. The streak goes on the same with Aneet. She literally has the same expression throughout the entire 2hrs30mins! She is crying with a straight face, laughing in the same expression, and even making love with the same expression! Sad to see this nepotism culture still rocking the scenes of Bollywood even after so much controversy. So many better actors are waiting to just get a single chance, while these robots are making films with so many big names!
Cluesless Ending
As I said earlier, everything was good till the first hour, then it went haywire. But the ending. It’s on a different level. It is not just haphazard, but it makes the entire journey of the runtime pointless. So, many questions are unanswered, but the makers are not in the mood for them! This is truly disappointing.
Final Words
There was a time when Bollywood was made for romance. I, as a kid, grew up watching romantic movies of SRK. I have seen many better musicals from Bollywood for the young adults and teenagers, like Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na. I have seen many more emotional films like Veer Zaara, Kal Ho Na Ho, Devdas, Rockstar, Roja, and so on. But now it feels like don’t trust anything you read on the internet. Everything is overhyped and just a marketing gimmick. You can watch Saiyaara only if you are a young adult, Gen-Z, or a hopeless romantic. If you aren’t any of them, just skip it and rewatch the aforementioned gems.
Rating:
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While you’re here, check out our other movie reviews for more no-fluff takes.
Avik
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