Is Saiyaara a Remake of Korean Film A Moment to Remember? Unraveling the Truth Behind Ahaan Panday’s Debut
Mohit Suri’s Saiyaara—starring debutants Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda—has made waves at the box office and sparked intense debate online. Fans question whether it’s an original romantic drama or heavily inspired by the 2004 Korean tearjerker A Moment to Remember. So, what’s really going on?
Box Office Buzz & Debut Glory
Released on July 18, 2025, Saiyaara pulled off a spectacular opening—around ₹20 crore on Day 1, surging to ₹83 crore in just one weekend—making it one of the biggest openings ever for Bollywood newcomers. A captivating soundtrack and a tear-jerking love story helped push its total past ₹100 crore in record time.
Why the Korean Film Buzz?
Online discussions quickly linked Saiyaara’s romantic arc to A Moment to Remember—a beloved story of a woman battling early-onset Alzheimer’s and her devoted partner’s struggle to hold on to her memories. Saiyaara follows a similar trajectory: Krish (Ahaan) falls in love with Vaani (Aneet), who is later diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s.
Footage comparing emotional scenes—like the memory lapse confrontation and closure-building climax—has circulated widely on social media, prompting claims of a near scene-to-scene copy.
Comments like:
“Major plot points are literally the same, like Alzheimer’s… girl running away. Also, the ending where he recreates the past moment is the same…”
“So Saiyaara is based on A Moment to Remember?”
cite the similarity in narrative events.
Official Stance from Filmmakers
Neither Mohit Suri nor Yash Raj Films have acknowledged Saiyaara as an adaptation. The screenplay is officially credited to Sankalp Sadanah and Mohit Suri, with no mention of A Moment to Remember or any adaptation credit.
Industry insiders suggest the story is an original Indian tale—“inspired by” broad emotional themes but not a licensed remake.
Originality vs. Inspiration: Where’s the Line?
Critics argue that Alzheimer’s-based romantic tragedy isn’t unique—films like 50 First Dates, The Notebook, and Bollywood’s U Me Aur Hum have navigated similar terrain. A Moment to Remember itself was based on a Japanese series, highlighting how themes move across cultures.
Supporters of Saiyaara point out structural differences:
The first half, focusing on an aspiring musician and a poet, is distinct from the workplace/family setup of the Korean film.
Saiyaara aims to reflect contemporary Gen‑Z urban life, dream-chasing, and music-driven romance, not just tragedy alone.
Summary Snapshot
| Feature | Saiyaara | A Moment to Remember |
|---|---|---|
| Core Theme | Early-onset Alzheimer’s in young couple | Similar theme |
| Story Credits | Sankalp Sadanah & Mohit Suri | Officially independent screenplay |
| Plot Structure | Musician-poet romance, urban context | Workplace/family focus |
| Acknowledgment in Credits | None | N/A |
| Industry Response | Claims of inspiration, but not remake | N/A |
While Saiyaara shares emotional beats with A Moment to Remember, there is no official acknowledgment of adaptation. Film scholars and critics note that similarities in Alzheimer’s-love dramas are common enough not to imply plagiarism automatically.
For now, Saiyaara stands legally as an original film—but public curiosity and ongoing comparisons may shape its long-term perception.
Current Sentiment & What’s Next
Despite online scrutiny, Saiyaara‘s commercial performance—with its record-setting opening and emotional resonance—means that the conversation is likely to continue with both fans and skeptics paying close attention.
Saiyaara’s creators have not issued a statement regarding the debate.
SEO-driven social media comparisons may maintain momentum around remaking accusations.
Bottom Line
Is Saiyaara a remake? No official confirmation—screenplay credits are original.
Does it resemble A Moment to Remember? Yes, at several emotional and narrative points.
Does it still bring something new? Many viewers find its contemporary energy, genre fusion, and music-driven romance refreshing.
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