A viral Instagram video by singer-filmmaker Amit Jadhav has sparked a fresh debate around Saiyaara, the film starring Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda. Jadhav claims that the story of the 2025 film closely resembles the plot of his 2019 YouTube short film Khwaabon.The singer-filmmaker pointed out that both stories revolve around a couple whose life changes after the woman develops a memory loss condition and goes missing, while the male lead — a musician — tries to find her through a song.
‘I had received a message from YRF Talent in 2022’
Speaking to Hindustan Times, Jadhav said he had previously tried to raise the issue and even recalled receiving a message from Yash Raj Films’ talent team.“I had tried speaking up last year too. I had actually received a direct message on Instagram from YRF Talent in 2022. They wanted to get in touch with me. I asked them which project they were reaching out to me for, but they didn’t answer. I didn’t know anyone there, and neither had I given any audition for them to contact me,” he said.
According to Jadhav, he only realised the similarities after the film released.“A week after Saiyaara’s release, my friends called me and said, ‘tera toh story same tha’. I was shocked. I tried reaching out to them, even going to their office, but my friends said they won’t entertain me or reply,” he added.
‘Saiyaara is closer to my story’
Earlier, there had also been online discussions claiming that Saiyaara was inspired by the 2004 Korean film A Moment to Remember. However, Jadhav believes the Bollywood film is closer to his own story.He explained that his short film also revolves around music and a musician trying to reconnect with his partner, which he believes makes the resemblance stronger.
‘One day I almost committed suicide’
The filmmaker also opened up about the emotional impact the situation had on him. Jadhav said he had been trying to expand Khwaabon into a full-length feature film.“I am a singer, so I kept getting work and I relaxed a bit because of that. But one day I almost committed suicide. I was sloshed, my parents saw me and that’s how I got saved. I felt like the world doesn’t want me to succeed. I was not called for any auditions,” he said.Jadhav added that he had been developing a feature script based on the story.“I had started working on a script for myself. I had even got producers. We were planning to shoot in 2025. But then Saiyaara happened and everything got derailed,” he said.
‘I just want some acknowledgement’
When asked if he had registered the story, Jadhav said that although he is a member of the Screenwriters Association, the script was not formally registered at the time.“I am a part of the Screenwriters Association, but no, I did not get the story registered in 2019 because it was a short film and already out on a public platform as proof,” he explained.Jadhav also claimed that he tried contacting the production house again after the film’s release.“I wrote in the mail that I had received a message from them in 2022 as well and that Saiyaara’s story is similar to mine. I asked them to clarify. I mailed twice but got no answer,” he said. For now, Jadhav says he is not demanding anything major but hopes for recognition.“I should get some credit. Or I can be cast in some role at least in some project. That’s all I am seeking,” he said.Director Mohit Suri and Yash Raj Films are yet to respond to these allegations.
