Mohit Suri’s Saiyaara has made a notable debut at the box office, but its release has sparked intense online debate over originality, as many viewers have pointed out striking similarities with the 2004 South Korean classic A Moment to Remember. Both films revolve around a poignant love story disrupted by early-onset Alzheimer’s, leading to widespread speculation that Saiyaara may be uncredited or unofficially adapted from the Korean film.
What’s Fueling the Comparison?
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In Saiyaara, Ahaan Panday plays Krish Kapur, a rebellious musician, while Aneet Padda’s Vaani is a quiet, aspiring journalist. Their love blossoms until tragedy strikes with Vaani’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis.
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A Moment to Remember, directed by John H. Lee, follows a similar emotional arc—with Son Ye-jin’s character Su-jin slowly losing her memory, while her husband Chul-soo remains steadfastly by her side.
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The emotional beats, pacing, and themes of memory, devotion, and irreversible loss appear deeply aligned.
One user on social media pointedly noted:
"So #SAIYAARA is a copy of this KOREAN FILM! (Read the synopsis) Mohit Suri has barely made any original film."
This isn't the first time Mohit Suri has faced accusations of drawing heavily from international cinema. Critics and fans alike have long debated the inspiration-versus-imitation angle in his filmography.
No Official Word Yet
Neither Mohit Suri nor the producers at Yash Raj Films have issued a clarification regarding the resemblance or whether Saiyaara is an authorised remake or loosely inspired adaptation. Notably, the screenplay is credited to Sankalp Sadanah, with dialogues by Rohan Shankar—but no mention of it being based on an existing work has been made in official promotions.
Reception: Mixed Reactions
Despite the controversy, the film has been lauded for:
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Strong performances by Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, both newcomers.
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A melodic soundtrack, composed by a multi-artist ensemble including Mithoon, Sachet–Parampara, Tanishk Bagchi, and others.
Why This Matters
This growing trend of uncredited adaptations in Bollywood has increasingly drawn scrutiny in the streaming era, where global cinema is more accessible. Fans are now quick to spot narrative overlaps, demanding greater transparency and due credit.
If Saiyaara is indeed a remake or inspired by A Moment to Remember, failing to acknowledge the original may not just be ethically questionable—it could also undermine audience trust, especially with a story that hinges so deeply on emotional authenticity.
Whether this resemblance will hurt Saiyaara’s box office trajectory or prompt a public response from the filmmakers remains to be seen.
