The Revival of Bollywood: What's the Hype Around Saiyaara ?

The Meaning Behind the Word "Saiyaara"

Rooted in both Urdu and Arabic, Saiyaara traditionally refers to a star or planet that drifts through the sky. In Arabic, it implies continuous motion or orbit, while in Urdu, it symbolises a solitary star—radiant, wandering alone, yet lighting up the world around it. The filmmakers behind Saiyaara, produced by Yash Raj Films, chose the title for its poetic depth. It reflects themes of eternal love, emotional distance, and longing. In fact, as described in the trailer, "Saiyaara means a lonely star among stars, who by herself illuminates the whole world. You are my Saiyaara."

The TikTok Effect & My Return to Bollywood

I’m almost certain you came across Saiyaara on your TikTok feed. The flood of emotional reactions, especially from women persuaded me I had to see it for myself (that and because I'm a dedicated blogger and all). I haven't watched a Bollywood film in over a decade. After the late 2000s, things changed. What once felt like poetic cinema started to feel overly sexualised. The stories lost their innocence, and I lost interest.

From what I understand, Bollywood in recent years has leaned more into action and comedy, leaving behind the intense love stories that once defined the genre. So, for me, Saiyaara wasn't just a film—it was a revival of something I truly missed.

So... Did It Live Up to the Hype?

That’s a tough one to answer. At intermission, I honestly wasn’t sure why I was there. It felt disconnected bordering on average. But the second half made up for it. It took patience, but I’m glad I stayed.

One reason for the hype? The film's marketing was almost nonexistent. No press, no interviews, no media circus. Just one vague label: "an intense love story." That kind of mystery built real anticipation, a very smart move in today’s culture of over saturated exposure of absolutely anything and everything. 

And of course, it was backed by Yash Raj Films. That name alone speaks volumes. A banner worth watching, if only to indulge in the bygone true romantic era of Bollywood.

A Quick Look at Yash Raj Films (YRF)

Most Bollywood fans will instantly recognise the YRF logo. Founded by the legendary Yash Chopra, this studio is behind some of the most iconic Bollywood love stories of all time: Deewaar, Kabhi Kabhie, Darr, Dil To Pagal Hai, Veer-Zaara.

Chopra's legacy is simple: stunning visuals, strong women, and unforgettable romance.Whether it was a heroine in an elegant saree or a hero romancing in the snow, his films have a dream like fantasy quality about them.

His son, Aditya Chopra, carried that legacy forward with Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ), one of the most successful Indian films of all time. It resonated deeply with the South Asian diaspora and helped define a previously unacknowledged blend of Eastern and Western generation. 

If you want to learn more about YRF and their impact on cinema, I highly recommend watching The Romantics on Netflix. It’s a heartfelt, behind-the-scenes look at the studio and its journey.

From Daag to DDLJ and now Saiyaara, Yash Raj Films has never stopped believing in love stories. Presented by YRF Chairman Aditya Chopra and produced by CEO Akshaye Widhani, the decision to create somewhat on an original romantic drama with debut actors may have felt risky in today’s world of sequels, franchises and nepotism —but clearly, it has paid off.

The Real Reason Everyone’s Obsessed

Here's the truth: it's not just the film itself that made Saiyaara so special. It's the fact that this kind of film—emotional, romantic, nostalgic—just doesn’t get made anymore. Bollywood has strayed from its roots over the last 15 years. This movie brings it all back.

The nostalgia is real. The love story felt like it belonged in the 90s, in the best way. It reminded us what we loved about Bollywood in the first place.

Let’s be honest — Gen Z never got their DDLJ moment. Until now. That’s what Saiyaarafeels like for so many people. It’s not just a love story; it’s their love story. One filled with intense emotion, quiet heartbreak, and all the complicated feelings that come with modern relationships. It’s the kind of film that lets you feel everything without needing to explain it all — and maybe that’s why it’s hit so hard.

Casting & Story

Saiyaara stars newcomers Ahaan Panday who playes the struggling musician Krish Kapoor and Aneet Padda who plays the writer Vaani Batra, whose chemistry carries a rollercoaster romance filled with passion, heartbreak, and desperate clinging. Despite being fresh faces, their performances felt honest and emotionally grounded.

There’s no traditional villain here—just an intense love story told without dramatic evil twists. That alone made it feel refreshing.

A Modern Male Lead

One moment stood out: the male lead reacts to his partner's past relationship with maturity and empathy rather than anger or judgment. That emotional restraint felt deeply Gen Z. It's growth. It’s progress.

Visuals & Set Design

My only slight letdown? I missed the lavish set design and iconic costuming typical of YRF productions. Aside from a great leather jacket worn by the male lead, there wasn’t much to admire in terms of wardrobe which traditionally plays a huge part in bollywood movies. However, the film did bring in breathtaking snowy backdrops toward the end, delivering that signature YRF visual magic.

The Music

Absolutely flawless! 

In fact, Saiyaara's title song made history—it became the first Bollywood song to enter Spotify’s Top 50 Global chart, beating tracks by Billie Eilish and Lady Gaga. That’s huge. The music added emotional depth to the film. One interesting choice: unlike typical Bollywood films that feature a song every 20 or so minutes, Saiyaara held back. They dropped the iconic track later than expected, and it hit hard. The wait was really a smart move.

A Note on the Plot (SPOILERS)

The story loosely follows elements of the 2004 Korean drama A Moment To Remember, with the female lead eventually diagnosed with early on-set Alzheimer’s. There's a beautiful symmetry: she found him lost in the beginning, and he finds her lost in the end. It’s about love, trauma, sacrifice, and healing.

Mental Health Done Right (Finally)

What I really appreciated was how Saiyaara approached mental health. It didn’t try to “make a point” or turn it into some grand awareness campaign. It just... existed, naturally. Vaani’s depression wasn’t brushed aside or glamorised — it was raw, messy, and painfully real. For an audience that’s grown up talking openly about therapy, trauma, and emotional burnout, it struck a nerve in the best way.

Krish's struggles, too, came from a place of deep-rooted grief and unspoken trauma. But again, the film didn’t force it into a dramatic climax or try to fix it. It let the characters sit in their sadness, in their silence — and in doing so, gave us permission to do the same. There’s something really powerful about that kind of quiet honesty on screen.

Closing Thoughts

Saiyaara may not be perfect, but it reminded me why I loved Bollywood in the first place. It brought romance back to the big screen in a way that felt intimate, familiar, and deeply needed.

And maybe that’s the real magic of it all.