Released in theatres on July 18, Saiyaara tells the love story of Krish Kapur (played by Ahaan Panday), a passionate, hot-headed musician, and Vaani (played by Aneet Padda), a quiet aspiring journalist. Their relationship begins with warmth and chemistry, but takes a heartbreaking turn when Vaani is diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s. The rest of the film follows how the couple navigates love, memory, and the challenges that follow.
In This Article:
- Internet Reacts Strongly
- Makers Remain Silent
- Music and Performances Praised
- Final Thoughts
However, many viewers and netizens were quick to point out that the plot of Saiyaara is strikingly similar to the 2004 South Korean film A Moment to Remember, directed by John H. Lee. In the Korean original, a woman named Su-jin (played by Son Ye-jin) is diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s shortly after marrying Chul-soo (Jung Woo-sung). Their story also explores how the couple deals with fading memories and emotional turmoil caused by the illness.
Internet Reacts Strongly
Soon after the film’s release, social media was flooded with posts from viewers who believed Saiyaara is an uncredited remake or copy of the Korean classic.
One user wrote, “So #Saiyaara is a copy of this Korean film! Mohit Suri has barely made any original film.” Another tweeted, “Yes, totally a copy of A Moment to Remember.”
Makers Remain Silent
Despite the growing chatter online, neither Mohit Suri nor the film’s writer Sankalp Sadanah have issued any official response. There has been no confirmation whether Saiyaara is inspired by or officially adapted from A Moment to Remember. The film’s dialogues are written by Rohan Shankar, and it is produced by Yash Raj Films CEO Akshaye Widhani.
At the time of writing, there is also no credit given to the Korean film in Saiyaara‘s official materials.
Music and Performances Praised
While the controversy continues, many viewers have praised the music and performances in Saiyaara. The film features tracks by prominent music directors including Mithoon, Sachet–Parampara, Rishabh Kant, Vishal Mishra, Tanishk Bagchi, Faheem Abdullah, and Arslan Nizami. The chemistry between the lead pair has also been appreciated.
Final Thoughts
The discussion around Saiyaara raises questions about originality in Bollywood storytelling. While the similarities with A Moment to Remember are difficult to ignore, the filmmakers have not confirmed any direct adaptation. Whether the film is a tribute, coincidence, or copy remains unclear—leaving it up to audiences to decide.
By – Nikita