When Mohit Suri, known for reshaping Bollywood’s musical landscape with emotional blockbusters like Aashiqui 2 and Ek Villain, returned with his much-anticipated project Saiyaara, expectations were high—especially around the film’s music. Naturally, many assumed he would turn once again to Arijit Singh, the voice that had helped define his past successes. But instead, Suri made an unexpected and bold choice: he handed the title track to Faheem Abdullah, a relatively new voice from Kashmir’s indie scene.
The decision raised eyebrows, but Suri was clear in his reasoning. In recent interviews, he explained that while Arijit Singh is a phenomenal talent and someone he deeply respects, the singer has come to represent a cinematic era that Suri considers behind him. “Arijit represents a cinema that I did 14 years ago,” he said, noting that going back to that same formula would have felt like repeating history rather than moving forward.
Suri wanted Saiyaara to mark a new chapter—not only for his storytelling but also for the soundscape of contemporary Bollywood. The film's protagonist, played by newcomer Ahaan Panday, is youthful, conflicted, and emotionally raw. Suri believed that Faheem Abdullah's voice, unfiltered and deeply introspective, could deliver the vulnerability and emotional depth the character demanded. It wasn’t just about vocal range—it was about emotional authenticity.
He also spoke about the creative risk involved in choosing someone new. For Suri, that risk was exactly the point. “Failing with someone established is scarier. Failing with someone new? That’s not that bad. At least you tried something different.” This mindset reflects Suri’s evolution as a filmmaker who refuses to be boxed in by past success.
Faheem Abdullah, already gaining recognition in India’s indie music scene for his poetic, genre-blending style, stepped up to the opportunity. His haunting delivery on the Saiyaara title track quickly became one of the film’s highlights. The song resonated with listeners across platforms, bringing Faheem into the mainstream spotlight almost overnight. For many, it felt like a passing of the torch ushering in a new generation of voices and musical storytelling.
In choosing Faheem over Arijit, Mohit Suri wasn’t just switching singers; he was signaling a shift in vision. It was about trusting instinct over legacy, present emotion over past glory. And in doing so, he helped introduce a powerful new voice to Bollywood—one that might define the next era, just as Arijit had defined the last.