MOVE OVER BOLLYWOOD KHANS FOR SAIYAARA'S NEW STARS

Long ruled by the enduring triumvirate of Shah Rukh, Aamir and Salman, there is a deep thirst for fresh blood. Seeing age-appropriate actors finally playing young lovers is a relief

- By Manjusha Radhakrishnan

After decades of Bollywood's ageing, greying superstars trying to play 25, along comes Saiyaara.

Two actual twenty-somethings — Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda — fall in love on screen, and the global box office catches fire. Imagine that — young people playing young people. Revolutionary.

And here’s the thing: it’s not even pretending to be high art or high brow. This is the cheesiest movie you will see this year, maybe this decade.

A young, troubled musician with borderline anger-management issues meets a wide-eyed, virginal journalist and songwriter.

They collaborate on a song, sparks fly, she is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, and after oceans of drama and heartbreak, he becomes her rock and steady presence. Pass the tissues.

But this film's unexpected success tells you something.

YOUNG LOVE