Saiyaara (2025)

Saiyaara is the oldest love story in the book, a moody musician and a quiet poet, and the two newcomers at its center keep it fresh longer than it deserves. Aneet Padda plays Vaani, a writer who stops writing after her fiancé backs out of their courthouse wedding. Ahaan Panday plays Krish Kapoor, a hot-tempered singer whose band can’t catch a break, and when her notebook of poems lands in his hands he can’t put it down. Her lyrics plus his tunes become the soundtrack, and the soundtrack is the best thing here. Mohit Suri knows how to stage heartbreak, and he leans on it hard. The second half slows way down, and at two and a half hours, every detour shows. It made $3.4 million in North America, and back home it was a much bigger hit. A 6.1 because the leads and the music carry a familiar story further than it should go. $432.45 says you send someone one of these songs tonight with zero explanation.

What works: Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda are a confident, likable pair in their first leading roles, and the songs are strong enough to carry whole scenes.

What doesn’t: The story follows a well-worn path, and the second half drags its feet badly at two and a half hours.

Who it’s for: Fans of big, tearful Hindi romances who buy the soundtrack before the movie and come ready to cry.