Picture this: you walk into a movie theatre expecting a breezy Bollywood romance, maybe a few catchy songs, and some popcorn-fueled fun. Instead, you’re handed a ticket to an emotional rollercoaster that leaves you sobbing like you just lost your childhood pet, your first love, and your Wi-Fi connection all at once. Welcome to the Saiyaara effect—a phenomenon that’s turned cinema halls across India into full-blown sob-fests, with audiences crying, screaming, and, in one case, clutching an IV drip like it’s their lifeline. Yes, you read that right. So, what’s behind this tearjerker tidal wave? Why Is Everyone Crying After Watching Saiyaara? Grab your tissues, because we’re diving into why Saiyaara has everyone weeping harder than a monsoon downpour.
A Love Story That Hits Like a Truck (Full of Feels)
Released on July 18, 2025, Saiyaara, directed by Mohit Suri, is the Bollywood debut of Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, two newcomers who’ve somehow managed to make Gen Z forget K-dramas and fall head-over-heels for desi romance. The film follows Krish Kapoor (Ahaan), a brooding, tattooed musician who’d rather punch a critic than take criticism, and Vaani Batra (Aneet), a shy lyricist with a diary full of heartbreak and some seriously poetic one-liners.
Their love story? Think Aashiqui 2 meets The Fault in Our Stars, with a side of Mohit Suri’s signature “let’s rip your heart out and set it to music” vibe. The plot isn’t exactly reinventing the wheel—bad boy meets good girl, sparks fly, tragedy strikes, and cue the waterworks—but it’s executed with such emotional precision that audiences are losing it.
The film’s climax, which we won’t spoil (because we’re not monsters), has been dubbed the “tissue apocalypse” on social media. Videos from theatres show fans bawling uncontrollably, with one girl reportedly fainting from “emotional overload.”
Another clip features a guy beating his chest like he’s auditioning for a Greek tragedy. And then there’s Faisal, the legend who watched Saiyaara hooked up to an IV drip, clutching his saline stand like it’s his emotional support buddy.
The Soundtrack: A Playlist for Your Tear Ducts
If you thought the story was the only tearjerker, think again. Saiyaara’s music is like a direct hotline to your feelings. With tracks like Saiyaara, Barbaad, and Tum Ho Toh, crafted by a dream team of seven composers and four lyricists, the soundtrack is both hummable and head-bangy. It’s the kind of music that makes you want to stare out a rainy window, dramatically contemplating life.
The songs don’t just play in the background—they’re woven into the story like emotional landmines. One scene, where Vaani’s lyrics turn into Krish’s chart-topping hit, had audiences clapping and crying simultaneously. Another clip circulating online shows couples swaying to Tum Ho Toh in theatres, with one guy twirling his girlfriend like they’re in a music video. “Sasta Saiyaara,” read the caption, because nothing says Bollywood like fans recreating scenes with zero chill.
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Why Is Everyone Crying After Watching Saiyaara? Is It Real Emotion or a PR Masterclass?
Now, here’s where things get spicy. Saiyaara’s success—₹175 crore in its first week, which is historic for a film with no A-list stars and minimal pre-release hype. Unlike typical Bollywood blockbusters that bombard you with influencer reels and podcast appearances, Saiyaara went stealth mode. No promo fatigue, just a clean slate for audiences to project their heartbreak onto. But some skeptics are raising eyebrows, wondering if this is all a brilliantly orchestrated PR stunt.
On Social media, the reactions are a mix of devotion and sarcasm.
One user posted, “We need a vaccine for SAIYAARA,” while another joked, “British Royal Navy’s F-35 decided to leave India after seeing #Saiyaara theatre videos.”
A couple who watched the film after seeing emotional reels fumed, “People are crying in the reels, but we’re angry that we came to watch this movie. Waste of money. I want to be paid to cry, too.” Whether it’s genuine or engineered, the Saiyaara craze is undeniable, with theatres turning into “fan temples,” as India Today put it.
The Ahaan-Aneet Magic: Nepo Kid or Star in the Making?
Let’s talk about the leads. Ahaan Panday, nephew of Chunky Panday and cousin of Ananya Panday, could’ve been an easy target for the “nepo baby” brigade. But his performance as Krish is winning hearts, with critics praising his raw intensity and emotional depth. In one scene, he cheekily shuts down a reviewer with, “Nepo baby haggenge bhi toh bhi bologe kya haga hai!” (Translation: “Even if a nepo baby sh*ts gold, you’ll say it’s crap!”).
Point taken, Ahaan. Aneet Padda, known from Big Girls Don’t Cry, brings a luminous vulnerability to Vaani, making her more than just the “good girl” trope. Their chemistry is so electric that even Anurag Basu, no stranger to emotional storytelling, admitted, “I legit cried like a heartbroken teenager during the climax.”
Why Is Everyone Crying After Watching Saiyaara? Saiyaara Is More Than Just a Movie
So, why is Saiyaara making everyone cry like they’re auditioning for a melodrama? For one, it taps into universal themes—love, loss, and resilience—that hit Gen Z where it hurts. The film’s modern yet nostalgic vibe, reminiscent of Aashiqui 2 and Sanam Teri Kasam, feels like a warm hug from Bollywood’s golden romance era. Trade analyst Taran Adarsh calls it a “modern-day Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge,” especially for its resonance in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.
Then there’s the Alzheimer’s subplot, which adds a layer of tragedy that’s both heart-wrenching and relatable. As
@starryyeyedgirl posted on X, “Since it is an Aashiqui legacy I thought it would wreck me, devastate me but it kinda healed me.” The film’s ability to balance pain with hope is catnip for audiences craving emotional catharsis. Plus, let’s be real—after years of action-heavy blockbusters and OTT thrillers, a proper Bollywood love story feels like coming home.
The Verdict: Grab Your Tissues and Go
Saiyaara isn’t perfect. Some critics call it clichéd, and a few X users grumbled about its similarities to the Korean drama A Moment to Remember. But when a film has you crying, laughing, and dancing in your seat (or fainting, apparently), does originality even matter? With ₹175 crore in the bag and counting, Saiyaara is proof that Bollywood’s romance genre is back with a vengeance. So, if you’re ready to ugly-cry in public, book your tickets, pack a box of tissues, and maybe leave the IV drip at home.
As one Social media user put it,
“What are you EVEN doing in your life if you haven’t watched Saiyaara yet, and God forbid, haven’t cried at the end of it?”
NationalViews Entertainment is crying, vibing, and low-key wondering if we need a Saiyaara vaccine too. Follow us for more Bollywood buzz!
