Last Updated:July 18, 2025, 02:59 IST

Kunal Kohli lauds Saiyaara ahead of release, criticises Bollywood heroes for sidelining music and heroines.

Saiyaara will be released on July 18. (Photo Credit: X)

As Bollywood gears up for the release of Saiyaara, a fresh romantic drama starring newcomers Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, filmmaker Kunal Kohli has taken a sharp dig at the current crop of Bollywood superstars. Lauding the arrival of Saiyaara, Kohli called it a sign of welcome change in the industry, both musically and narratively.

Quoting a tweet about debut romantic films creating history, like Bobby (1973), Maine Pyar Kiya (1989) and Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai (2000), Kunal Kohli praised the trend of meaningful cinema led by music and storytelling. In a strongly worded post, he wrote,

“All have had HIT music. Today’s heroes have killed music by wanting to reduce the role of heroines and thinking that item songs are hit songs. Tomorrow is a legendary day in Indian cinema. The change has begun. Good films. Good music are back. Albums. Complete albums. Filmmakers not heroes and their managers and entourages have to take calls about cinema and its music. Change is on the cards. Thank you audiences.”

Kohli, known for romantic hits like Hum Tum and Fanaa, didn’t hold back as he criticised the growing influence of stars and their entourages over creative decisions, hinting at how music and heroine-centric narratives have suffered in the process.

Directed by Mohit Suri and backed by Yash Raj Films, Saiyaara is set to release on July 18. The film is being celebrated for its powerful music and promising debut performances. The romantic musical drama follows the journey of a budding artist and his lady love as they navigate fame, love, and heartbreak. Its official synopsis reads:

“Passionate lovers navigate a rollercoaster romance, facing euphoric highs and crushing lows while desperately clinging to their tumultuous bond.”

The soundtrack has already begun topping charts, with contributions from top composers like Faheem Abdullah, Mithoon, Sachet–Parampara, Vishal Mishra, Arslan Nizami, and Tanishk Bagchi.

Shrishti Negi

Shrishti Negi is a journalist with over eight years of experience in the media industry. She leads the Entertainment desk at News18.com. She writes breaking news stories, generates feature ideas, edits copies, …Read More

Shrishti Negi is a journalist with over eight years of experience in the media industry. She leads the Entertainment desk at News18.com. She writes breaking news stories, generates feature ideas, edits copies, … Read More

view comments

First Published: