Bollywood Film “Saiyaara” Faces Remake Rumors Amid Comparisons to Korean Classic “A Moment to Remember”

Mohit Suri’s newly released romantic drama Saiyaara, starring Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, has taken off strongly at the box office, collecting an estimated ₹20 crore on its opening day. While praised for its music, emotional depth, and the lead pair’s compelling chemistry, the film is now at the center of an online debate over whether it is an unofficial remake of the South Korean cult classic A Moment to Remember.

The story of Saiyaara centers on Krish, a troubled young musician, and Vaani, a free-spirited lyricist diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. Their romance, built on music and healing, turns tragic as Vaani begins to lose her memory, challenging their relationship and future. The poignant storyline and tear-jerking narrative have led audiences and social media users to draw striking similarities to the 2004 Korean film A Moment to Remember, which follows a nearly identical plotline involving a woman’s cognitive decline and a heartbroken partner trying to support her.

Though there has been no official confirmation of the film being a remake, comparisons have surged on platforms like Reddit and X (formerly Twitter), where users have posted scene-by-scene references and criticized Saiyaara for allegedly borrowing too heavily from the original. Some have even gone so far as to call it a “blatant copy,” fueling controversy around originality in Bollywood storytelling.

Despite the backlash, the makers of Saiyaara—including director Mohit Suri and writer Sankalp Sadanah—maintain that the film is an original work, inspired by universal themes of love, memory, and loss. They have not publicly addressed the Korean comparison directly.

On the other hand, the film has earned praise for its soulful soundtrack, composed by a team including Tanishk Bagchi, Mithoon, and Vishal Mishra, which enhances the emotional weight of the narrative. The fresh pairing of debutant Ahaan Panday and newcomer Aneet Padda has also been well received by both critics and audiences.

While the film continues to perform well in theatres, the remake speculation has sparked a broader conversation about Bollywood’s tendency to mirror international content without attribution. Regardless of its origins, Saiyaara has struck an emotional chord with its viewers and remains a strong contender for future digital release, potentially on platforms like Netflix, as its popularity continues to rise.