Top critic
Indian Express
Film review
What could have been a bitter-sweet love story, and that's what the Mohit Suri film is clearly going for, is done in by its dialogue-heavy, inconsistent bits.


Fresh faces and strong music, but the love story treads all-too-familiar ground.
Verdict tier Mixed, lukewarm or divided, on a scale of Unfavorable, Mixed, Recommended, Exceptional.
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Critic consensus
Critical reception for Saiyaara is mixed, with the majority of reviewers landing in moderate territory. The most consistent praise goes to the lead performances, particularly Ahaan Panday's debut, and the film's music, which several critics highlight as emotionally resonant. The most common criticism across reviews is the familiarity and predictability of the plot, with some critics going further to cite weak dialogue, narrative loopholes, and a lack of originality in its romantic beats. A handful of critics found genuine emotional value in the film's earnestness, while others dismissed it as a formulaic rehash with diminishing returns.
Positive = 6.5/10 and up · negative = below 5/10
AI-generated summary of 10 critic reviews · may contain errors
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Top critics first, then by score · not-rated last · updated
Top critic
Film review
What could have been a bitter-sweet love story, and that's what the Mohit Suri film is clearly going for, is done in by its dialogue-heavy, inconsistent bits.
Film review ·
SAIYAARA is a stirring musical saga elevated by Mohit Suri’s deft direction, heartfelt romance, chart-topping music, and stellar lead performances. It strikes a perfect chord between emotion and spectacle, ensuring a captivating cinematic experience. At the box office, it’s poised for an unexpectedly massive opening, with every chance to rank among the year’s biggest blockbusters.
Film review ·
With Ahaan Panday making a starry, emotionally grounded debut, 'Saiyaara' becomes a soft place for bruised hearts to land, especially for today's generation. It's a reminder that perhaps both heartbreak and healing can be beautiful.
Film review ·
What keeps Saiyaara afloat is how two new faces submit to the vision of a filmmaker despite the messiness and imperfection of the narrative. What also holds the film together is the stunning title track
Film review ·
When was the last time shows went houseful for a film starring rank newcomers? I went in with a fair amount of doubt and came out impressed with what I saw.
Film review ·
'Saiyaara' is a slow-paced love story that tries to reach the hearts of the audience despite its unfamiliarity and incompleteness. While there is a lot of passion, pain, and compassion, some parts of the film may seem boring to the audience. Still, its honesty and the dedication of the actors make it special.
Film review
The story is as old as time. Bad boy meets good girl, sparks fly, and then, there's heartbreak, sacrifice, and reunion
Film review
Saiyaara revives old-school romance with soulful music and earnest performances. Despite a familiar plot, it strikes a chord with its emotional depth.
Film review
This is yet another downer this year, with talented newcomers getting short shrift thanks to absurd and finally myopic filmmaking. The script is full of loopholes in logic, delivering a barrage of maudlin, melodramatic, synthetic emotions, and handles a serious issue like Alzheimer's in a very convenient and insensitive manner.
Film review
Saiyaara ends up a bland rehash of old ideas served in an older bottle. The stylised glossy aesthetics, song placements and dreary mood sometimes can be found in Saiyaara, but with diminishing returns. The attempts at registering the fiery intensity and smoldering passion between the two fall flat as they merely recontextualize cinematic cliches and story beats with no innovation.
Credits
Ahaan PandayKrish Kapoor
Aneet PaddaVaani Batra
Alam KhanKV
Rajesh KumarRajesh Batra
Geeta Agrawal SharmaGeeta Batra
Anngad RaajRudransh Batra
Varun BadolaAshok Kapoor
Shaad RandhawaPrince
Sid MakkarVinit RawalHindi films like Saiyaara