‘Saiyaara’ a copy of Korean film? Internet spots striking resemblance to 2004's A Moment to Remember

Mohit Suri’s latest directorial Saiyaara, featuring Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, hit the big screens on Friday, July 18. The musical romance witnessed a strong opening at the box office. However, the film is now facing criticism online as many viewers pointed out its apparent similarities with the 2004 South Korean romantic drama A Moment to Remember.

Soon after the release, social media was abuzz with comparisons between the two films, with netizens highlighting the overlapping plotlines. Both movies center around a young couple dealing with the challenges of early-onset Alzheimer’s.

One user commented, "So #SAIYAARA is a copy of this KOREAN FILM! (Read the synopsis) Mohit Suri has barely made any original film (sic)." Another added, "Yes totally copy of A Moment to Remember (sic)."




In Saiyaara, Ahaan Panday plays Krish Kapur, a passionate musician with a fiery temper, while Aneet Padda essays the role of Vaani, a soft-spoken, aspiring journalist. As the story unfolds, their romantic journey takes a poignant turn when Vaani is diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s, forcing them to navigate a deeply emotional phase in their lives.

Likewise, A Moment to Remember, directed by John H. Lee, tells the heartfelt story of Su-jin (Son Ye-jin) and Chul-soo (Jung Woo-sung), whose lives are disrupted when Su-jin develops Alzheimer’s. The Korean film is often praised for its moving narrative and portrayal of love, especially Chul-soo’s unwavering support as Su-jin’s memories begin to fade.

As of now, the makers of Saiyaara have not released any official statement addressing the resemblance or clarifying whether the movie is an adaptation of the Korean original. The film’s screenplay is credited to Sankalp Sadanah, with dialogues penned by Rohan Shankar.

Despite the allegations of unoriginality, Saiyaara has received positive feedback for its emotional performances and rich musical score. The soundtrack, which has been widely appreciated, features compositions by Mithoon, Sachet–Parampara, Rishabh Kant, Vishal Mishra, Tanishk Bagchi, Faheem Abdullah, and Arslan Nizami. The film has been produced by Akshaye Widhani, CEO of Yash Raj Films.