After its theatrical run, Saiyaara, featuring Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda in lead roles, has finally arrived on streaming platforms. Interestingly, the film seems to be getting a warmer reception online than it did in cinemas. Fans who have now caught the movie on OTT are coming forward to defend the young stars, arguing that much of the initial backlash was unfair and heavily influenced by social media trends rather than the actual merit of the film.
When Saiyaara first released in theatres, it was subjected to harsh trolling, especially across Instagram reels and short-form content where clips were taken out of context. Many netizens ridiculed dialogues, scenes, and performances without watching the full film. Now, however, viewers who are engaging with the complete story on OTT are sharing that the negative narrative around the movie was exaggerated.
Several fans have expressed that Saiyaara deserves to be seen as a sincere attempt by two newcomers navigating a challenging script. They feel that audiences wrote it off too quickly because of viral memes and “dumb reels” that focused on isolated moments rather than the overall experience. On social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter), posts have begun circulating, urging people to give the film a second chance.
Supporters also highlight Ahaan Panday’s earnest performance and Aneet Padda’s screen presence, calling them promising fresh faces for Bollywood’s future. For many, the OTT release has created an opportunity to judge the movie in a more relaxed, personal space—without the burden of exaggerated expectations or social media noise.
While Saiyaara may not have enjoyed box-office success, its digital run is slowly carving out a more positive narrative. The shift from heavy trolling to gradual appreciation reflects how streaming platforms are helping films find a new life and, sometimes, a fairer audience.
