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Saiyaara

18 July 2025Hindi2h 30m
out of 10
Mixedlukewarm or divided
Monk Score · 10 critic reviews

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.

  • Praised: lead performances and music
  • Criticised: predictable, unoriginal plot

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Critic consensus

What 10 critics are saying

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.

How the 10 scores spread

Positive / mixed / negative reviews

Positive = 6.5/10 and up · negative = below 5/10

AI-generated summary of 10 critic reviews · may contain errors

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From the papers

Critic reviews (10)

Top critics first, then by score · not-rated last · updated

  1. 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.
  2. Bollywood Hungama

    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.
  3. India Today

    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.
  4. Firstpost

    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
  5. Hindustan Times

    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.
  6. IndiaTvNews

    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.
  7. NDTV

    Film review

    The story is as old as time. Bad boy meets good girl, sparks fly, and then, there's heartbreak, sacrifice, and reunion
  8. Ottplay

    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.
  9. KoiMoi

    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.
  10. Rediff

    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.

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Cast

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