Ever since its release, Saiyaara has become the talk of the town—not just for its emotional storytelling and chartbuster music, but now also for an unexpected controversy. Social media and news portals are abuzz with claims that Saiyaara, starring debutants Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, is heavily “inspired” or even “copied” from the 2004 Korean romantic drama A Moment to Remember.
But is this true? Or is it just another case of fans drawing surface-level comparisons between emotional love stories? Let’s break down what’s going on.
The Rumour: ‘Saiyaara’ Is a Copy?
The speculation began when News18 published a story titled “Ahaan Panday’s Saiyaara Copied From Korean Film ‘A Moment to Remember’?” This was followed by a Times Now article which went deeper, comparing both films side-by-side. Within hours, Reddit threads and Twitter (now X) feeds were flooded with side-by-side screenshots, plot breakdowns, and heated debates.
Critics and fans alike began drawing parallels between the two stories: both films revolve around a young couple falling in love, only to be tested by the sudden onset of a memory-related illness. In A Moment to Remember, the female protagonist suffers from early-onset Alzheimer’s disease—a tragic twist that forms the core of the movie’s heartbreak. Similarly, Saiyaara features a plotline where Aneet Padda’s character begins to forget critical pieces of her life as the romance deepens.
The Facts: Are the Films Really That Similar?
At first glance, yes—there are thematic overlaps. But when one digs deeper, the similarities appear more coincidental than direct plagiarism.
According to reports from Times Now, a film reviewer who watched both movies confirmed that Saiyaara takes a very different narrative path in its second half. While A Moment to Remember is more of a personal, internal story focused on coping with illness, Saiyaara is designed as a grand, cinematic romance. It includes backstories rooted in Indian cultural contexts, side characters that influence the couple’s journey, and moments of dramatic intensity that are more aligned with Bollywood storytelling.
Moreover, director Mohit Suri, known for emotionally rich films like Aashiqui 2 and Ek Villain, has always cited both Korean cinema and Indian novels as his creative influences. In past interviews, he has admitted to being inspired by Asian cinema’s sensitivity but has denied outright copying any particular film.
What Has the Cast Said?
As of now, neither Ahaan Panday nor Aneet Padda has commented on the rumour directly. However, sources close to the production have reportedly dismissed the remake claims, calling them “baseless and lazy comparisons.”
Yash Raj Films, which backed Saiyaara, also hasn’t issued any official statement on the matter. Given the rising controversy, some fans expect a clarification soon.
What Do Critics Think?
Film critics are divided. Some agree that Saiyaara seems “heavily inspired” by A Moment to Remember, especially in terms of the female lead’s illness and emotional tone. Others argue that the similarity ends at the theme, and that Saiyaara is more rooted in Indian family values and melodrama, making it a standalone work.
One critic wrote, “Yes, there are emotional echoes of the Korean film, but the execution, music, and context are clearly Bollywood. It’s like saying every tragic love story is a copy of Devdas.”
So, Is Saiyaara a Remake?
Technically speaking, no. There is no official licensing or remake credit given to the makers of A Moment to Remember, and the plot structure differs significantly beyond the illness premise.
This isn’t the first time Bollywood has been accused of borrowing themes from Korean cinema. Films like Murder 2 and Zinda faced similar accusations in the past, and Bollywood’s growing exposure to global cinema has made such overlaps more visible.
In the case of Saiyaara, it appears to be more of an inspired homage than a scene-by-scene remake.
The Bigger Picture
Regardless of whether it’s “inspired” or “original,” Saiyaara is winning hearts. The film’s box office opening, viral music, and positive audience response prove that emotional storytelling, when done right, connects deeply with viewers—even if it shares thematic DNA with past films.
This debate also raises an important question: In an era of global cinema access, can two films explore similar ideas without one being accused of copying the other?
