Mohit Suri’s latest Bollywood romance Saiyaara has sparked debates online as fans compare its plot to the 2004 Korean drama A Moment to Remember. The film stars newcomers Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda in a love story disrupted by early-onset Alzheimer’s disease.
Saiyaara’s Plot and Fan Reactions
Saiyaara follows the love story between Krish Kapur (Ahaan Panday), a passionate musician, and Vaani (Aneet Padda), an aspiring journalist. Their romance takes a tragic turn when Vaani is diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s, leading to emotional struggles as Krish tries to help her hold onto their memories.
Fans quickly noticed similarities with the Korean film A Moment to Remember, where a couple faces the same challenge after the female lead, Su-jin, is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Social media users pointed out nearly identical plot points, including the heroine’s confusion with an ex, her decision to leave, and the emotional ending where the hero recreates a past moment.
“Major plot points are literally the same, like Alzheimer’s, confusion with ex, girl running away. Also, the ending where he recreates the past moment is the same…” – A Reddit user
“Abandoned by ex on the cusp of starting a new life. Early onset Alzheimer’s of heroine. The heroine’s family judges the hero. Hero with anger issues finds purpose after meeting the heroine. Heroine calling hero by her ex’s name. A heartfelt letter from the heroine processing her love. Getting admitted to a care home. How could you say that they are different movies?” – Another fan comment
Director Mohit Suri’s History of Korean Adaptations
Mohit Suri is no stranger to drawing inspiration from Korean cinema. His past films, including Ek Villain (inspired by I Saw the Devil) and Murder 2 (linked to The Chaser), have faced similar debates. While some fans defend him for adding an Indian touch, others criticize the lack of originality.
“Always remember every top artist copies from one another but you have to give your own flavour while doing so. Not every filmmaker can copy another work if they don’t have the talent.” – A supporter’s comment
Makers’ Stance and Film’s Success
Despite fan theories, the makers of Saiyaara have not confirmed any official remake status. The film’s story is credited to Sankalp Sadanah and Mohit Suri, who reportedly aimed to create a contemporary Indian love story.
The movie has performed well at the box office, earning ₹20 crore on its opening day, making it one of the biggest Bollywood releases of 2025. The music, composed by Mithoon, Sachet-Parampara, and others, has also been praised.
Key Differences Between Saiyaara and A Moment to Remember
While the Alzheimer’s theme is similar, some differences stand out:
- Saiyaara focuses on Krish’s music career and urban youth struggles, unlike the Korean film’s workplace and family conflicts.
- The disease impacts the couple before marriage in Saiyaara, whereas in A Moment to Remember, it happens after.
- The Indian adaptation includes a stronger musical narrative, fitting Bollywood’s style.
Global Inspirations in Cinema
Interestingly, A Moment to Remember itself was inspired by a 2001 Japanese TV series Pure Soul, showing how stories evolve across cultures. Other adaptations include a Turkish version (Evim Sensin, 2012). This trend highlights how universal themes like love and memory loss resonate worldwide.
Audience Response and Box Office Performance
Despite the remake debate, Saiyaara has connected with viewers, especially younger audiences. Its emotional storytelling and fresh faces have made it a talking point.
“Just because they both have the same trope of Alzheimer’s doesn’t mean it is a remake. Many romantic movies use similar plots.” – A defending fan
With strong box office numbers and mixed but passionate fan reactions, Saiyaara continues to dominate discussions in Bollywood circles.
Also read: Housefull 5 Fans Can Stream These Hilarious Comedy Thrillers With Twists
Credits: Research compiled from Hindustan Times, Times of India, India Forums, News18, and social media reactions.
