Common Sense Media Review
By Sakhi Thirani
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Bollywood dementia-themed drama romanticizes toxic behavior.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 12+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Saiyaara
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In SAIYAARA, heartbroken Vaani (Aneet Padda) meets brash musician Krish (Ahaan Panday) and her life seems to be changing for the better. When an Alzheimer's diagnosis threatens their future, will their love survive?
Is It Any Good?
Despite introducing some new faces to the genre and with an appealing soundtrack, this romantic drama follows familiar Bollywood melodrama patterns. While Saiyaara may occasionally tug at the heartstrings, it suffers from stereotypical characters and one-dimensional writing. But its biggest issue is with its problematic romanticizing of Krish's aggressive behavior while keeping Vaani in a passive, victimized role throughout. The movie uses smoking to make characters appear sophisticated and exploits illness for dramatic effect rather than exploring these issues with depth. Director Mohit Suri's film lacks the substance needed to elevate it beyond standard tearjerker fare. Fans of sentimental Bollywood romances may find some entertainment here, but the shallow character development and missed opportunities to meaningfully address serious topics like Alzheimer's and healthy relationships make it one to avoid.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Vaani and Krish's relationship in Saiyaara. Would you describe it as healthy? Why, or why not? How should partners support each other through difficult times? Parents, talk to your teens about your own values regarding relationships.
Talk about gender roles and expectations in the film. Why was Vaani often shown as passive while Krish was aggressive? What makes a character truly empowering versus just appearing strong? How can I find positive gender representations in movies and on TV?
How did the movie portray Alzheimer's? Was it handled sensitively? Why is that important?
How was smoking and drinking depicted in the film? Was it glamorized? Why does that matter?
Movie Details
- In theaters : July 18, 2025
- On DVD or streaming : September 12, 2025
- Cast : Ahaan Panday , Aneet Padda , Geeta Agarwal
- Director : Mohit Suri
- Inclusion Information : Indian/South Asian Movie Director(s)
- Studio : Yash Raj Films
- Genre : Romance
- Topics : Arts ( Music and Sing-Along )
- Run time : 150 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate