Mohit Suri’s latest romantic drama Saiyaara, starring Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, hit theaters on July 18, raking in an impressive ₹21 crore on its opening day. While the film has been lauded for its soulful music and heartfelt performances, it’s now embroiled in controversy as netizens accuse it of being a blatant rip-off of the 2004 Korean classic A Moment to Remember, directed by John H. Lee and starring Son Ye-jin and Jung Woo-sung.
Saiyaara tells the emotional tale of Krish Kapur, a fiery musician, and Vaani, a reserved aspiring journalist, whose love story is tested by Vaani’s early-onset Alzheimer’s diagnosis. However, fans of the Korean film have pointed out striking similarities, noting that A Moment to Remember also centers on a couple grappling with the woman’s Alzheimer’s, including parallel plot points like memory loss, an ex-partner mix-up, and a poignant ending where the man recreates cherished moments.
Social media is abuzz with criticism. One user posted, “The Alzheimer’s arc, the ex confusion, and that recreated memory scene—it’s A Moment to Remember all over again!” Another jabbed at Suri’s track record, referencing his Ek Villain as an adaptation of the Korean film I Saw the Devil, saying, “Mohit Suri’s love for copying Korean movies strikes again!”
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Yet, some fans are defending Saiyaara. “Every artist borrows, but it’s about adding your own flavor. Suri nails the emotional depth,” one supporter argued. Another added, “Alzheimer’s in love stories isn’t new—it’s a universal trope that resonates emotionally.”
Written by Sankalp Sadanah with dialogues by Rohan Shankar, Saiyaara boasts a stellar soundtrack by composers like Mithoon, Sachet-Parampara, and Vishal Mishra. Produced by Yash Raj Films’ CEO Akshaye Widhani, the film has yet to address whether it’s an official remake or merely inspired by the Korean drama.
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