‘Saiyaara' movie X review: Newcomers Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda steal hearts as netizens praise the intense love story

Economic Times

3 days ago

Saiyaara review: Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda earn praise for their performances
Saiyaara, the much-anticipated romantic drama directed by Mohit Suri, is earning high praise from critics and early viewers alike. With a runtime of over two hours, the film delivers a fulfilling cinematic experience rooted in raw emotion, melodious music, and heartfelt storytelling.
Early reviews describe Saiyaara as a complete 'paisa vasool' entertainer, seamlessly blending the director's signature themes of love, loss, and longing. The first half, while slightly stretched, establishes an emotional foundation powered by evocative music. But it's the second half that truly soars—delivering gut-wrenching heartbreak and a powerful payoff that cements the film in classic Mohit Suri territory, according to netizens.
— varindersingh24 (@varindersingh24)
Newcomers Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda steal the show with their performances, reviews suggest. While Ahaan impresses with his quiet restraint and natural presence, it is Aneet who truly shines, offering a layered portrayal that balances vulnerability with strength. Some netizens have already begun calling her the next 'national crush,' thanks to the undeniable charm and emotional depth she brings to the screen. More than just a launchpad for fresh talent, Saiyaara showcases a maturity and emotional resonance that leaves a lasting mark.
At its heart, Saiyaara is a tender story of first love. It's a genre Mohit Suri has explored before, but here, he reinvents it with a freshness that feels intimate and relevant. Known for crafting some of Bollywood's most emotionally charged films like A ashiqui 2, Woh Lamhe, Zeher, and Ek Villain, Suri brings his trademark mix of intense storytelling and soulful music into the Yash Raj Films fold for the first time. This marks a significant shift for the filmmaker, as his previous successes were under the Vishesh Films banner. The casting of Ahaan Panday—cousin of Bollywood actress Ananya Panday—was not an arbitrary choice, Mohit Suri said. Suri had a clear vision from the start. When conceptualizing Saiyaara , he and his team knew they wanted to cast young, fresh faces who could embody the innocence and intensity of first love. For Suri, the decision to work with newcomers was not a gamble, but a deliberate artistic choice. He has always been a champion of fresh talent, having introduced new musicians, singers, and actors throughout his career. In his own words, these young creatives keep him relevant, forcing him to evolve with each project.
— BURN4DESIRE1 (@BURN4DESIRE1)
The music of Saiyaara deserves special mention. Suri, who has a deep and personal relationship with music, spent over five years curating melodies for this film. He describes his process like that of a book collector—carefully gathering tunes, lyrics, and voices until he had the perfect collection for this one-of-a-kind album.
— boxofficefever (@boxofficefever) As for Ahaan Panday, the debut marks not only a professional milestone but a deeply personal one as well. In a heartfelt message, Ahaan credited the film's creative team for believing in him and helping shape his transition into the world of cinema. He even shared an emotional video of himself hugging director Mohit Suri, a symbolic moment of gratitude and hope. To seek blessings ahead of the film's release, Ahaan and his co-star Aneet Padda visited Mumbai's Siddhivinayak Temple, a gesture that reflected the earnestness and humility both actors have brought to their debut.