Mohit Suri’s Saiyaara hits the screens today. In a time dominated by formula-driven films, Suri remains one of the few filmmakers who continues to stay true to the stories he wants to tell. Known for films like Aashiqui 2, Murder 2, Awarapan, and Woh Lamhe, the director is deeply rooted in the romantic drama genre. He’s also aware that Saiyaara might evoke comparisons to his earlier works—or to others in a similar emotional space.

“For the sake of being different, you can't ignore the story you truly want to tell,” he says in a conversation with Mid-day, just days ahead of the film’s release. “When I was making Aashiqui 2, people said it was similar to Rockstar.”

The story behind Saiyaara

The inspiration for Saiyaara came from a place of deep personal emotion, triggered during a trip to Dubai with his wife Udita Goswami and a few singer friends.