Just weeks after Saiyaara took the box office by storm, crossing ₹500 crore globally, the film now finds itself at the center of a heated controversy. The romantic drama, directed by Mohit Suri and starring debutants Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, has been accused of being a blatant copy of the 2004 South Korean tearjerker A Moment to Remember.
As videos comparing the two films went viral, highlighting uncanny similarities in storyline, character arcs, and emotional beats, audiences began questioning Saiyaara’s originality. From the female lead’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis to the intense love story and memory-driven plot twists, fans pointed out multiple scene-to-scene resemblances. Social media erupted with criticism, accusing the film of “copy-paste storytelling masked in Bollywood emotions.”
With the storm refusing to die down, Saiyaara’s writer Sankalp Sadanah has finally addressed the allegations. In a calm yet confident response, he said, “Watch both the films and judge for yourself.” Sadanah neither denied nor confirmed the claims directly but appeared to place the power of judgment in the hands of the audience.
His comment comes amid increasing backlash and speculation that the story may not be as original as claimed. However, he maintained that the film stands on its own merit and has connected with millions emotionally, which is something no controversy can overshadow.
While Saiyaara continues to enjoy record-breaking popularity, especially among Gen Z fans, the plagiarism debate has sparked a larger conversation around Bollywood’s frequent “inspirations” from international cinema. Some users even labeled the film “a remake without permission,” while others defended it, saying adaptation is common in the film industry.
Interestingly, despite the criticism, the film’s music, performances, and emotional appeal continue to dominate the internet, with reels, edits, and fan theories flooding Instagram and YouTube.
As the dust settles, one thing is certain: Saiyaara has managed to stir hearts, and stir up a storm. Whether it’s an inspired tribute or a cinematic copycat, the writer has made his stance clear, watch both, and let the truth unfold on its own.
