Mohit Suri’s latest romantic drama, “Saiyaara,” introduces promising newcomers Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, but the film itself struggles to break new ground and live up to the director’s past successes.
Meet the Protagonists
The story follows Krish (Ahaan Panday), a hotheaded aspiring music composer, and Vaani (Aneet Padda), an earnest journalist-in-the-making. Their paths are set to intertwine in classic Mohit Suri fashion, complete with a backdrop of soulful music.
Krish is introduced in a scuffle, hinting at his temper, while Vaani is depicted as refreshingly grounded, even deleting her social media to focus on her work. These contrasting personalities are designed to create the central romantic tension.
Fresh Faces, Familiar Territory
Both Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda show significant potential in their roles. Ahaan, making his debut, even directly references “nepo kids” early on, acknowledging his background while attempting to move past it.
Aneet brings a pleasing naturalness to Vaani, despite some issues with audibility in her delivery. What truly stands out is the genuine spark and investment the two newcomers display in their on-screen chemistry, a rare find in many contemporary Bollywood romances.
The Spark is There, But…
Despite the promising lead pair, the film falls victim to a dated and overly familiar directorial style. What begins as a passionate love story soon becomes bogged down by melodramatic, teary sequences and overly emotional lyrics, typical of Suri’s past works.
The narrative attempts to explore the characters’ troubled pasts, including Krish’s difficult childhood and Vaani’s challenging previous relationship. However, these elements often feel clunky and inconsistent, detracting from the emotional core.
A Predictable Narrative
While “Saiyaara” tries to touch upon the complexities of a rockstar’s life in the social media era, it gets lost in predictable plot points and underdeveloped supporting characters. The beautiful cinematography, featuring scenic coastal and mountain backdrops, cannot entirely compensate for the film’s narrative shortcomings.
Ultimately, what could have been a fresh, bittersweet romance is undermined by dialogue-heavy scenes and a narrative that struggles to maintain consistency. The film’s reliance on familiar tropes prevents it from reaching the heights of Suri’s more memorable hits like “Aashiqui 2.”
- Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda show promising on-screen chemistry.
- The film’s romantic spark between the leads is a highlight.
- Mohit Suri’s direction feels dated and overly melodramatic.
- The plot struggles with inconsistency and predictability.
- “Saiyaara” fails to deliver the fresh, impactful romance it aims for.
While the new lead pair brings a refreshing energy, “Saiyaara” ultimately lands as a familiar watch, struggling to evolve beyond the director’s signature style.
