Loved Saiyaara? Here’s a GenZ-approved 80s romance that launched newbies Aamir Khan-Juhi Chawla into stardom

Opening scene

To avenge his sister’s suicide, Dhanraj Singh kills Ratan Singh during his wedding procession, a moment that instantly reminded me of the opening scene of Mirzapur Season 1. Just like in QSQT, Munna Tripathi shoots a groom during a baraat, and that single act becomes the catalyst for everything that follows. Count me in, Ratan Singh, bring it on. I was already hooked and ready for the 2-hour 30-minute ride.

Dynamic shift in comedy

Say what you will, but QSQT is very much an ‘80s film, and the humour reflects that era. Dad jokes were the norm then. From Randhir Singh to Dhanraj Singh, every character delivers the lamest one-liners, the kind that make you smile but also cringe just a little. Sadly, today’s films have shifted toward tacky, vulgar, and shoddy comedy.

ALSO READ | Aamir Khan filmed Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak’s alternate happy ending as director Mansoor Khan refused to come: ‘He sat 20 feet away with his newspaper’

A still from Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak.

A child out of wedlock in 1988?

A child out of wedlock isn’t something I was expecting to see in a film of that era. Ratan Singh instantly proved me right by abandoning the girl after promising marriage. But what struck me most was how little the core of love stories has changed over the decades. In 1988, Raj and Rashmi die in the name of love, the same fate that met Parma and Zoya in Ishaqzaade (2012), Ram and Leela in Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela (2013), and countless others. No matter the decade, the essence of tragic romance remains the same.

Forbidden love and flirting

The excitement that older films created around forbidden love was a major part of their charm; it kept audiences emotionally invested and eager to see what would unfold. But the way we approach love today has changed drastically. Even flirting has undergone a complete transformation; the subtlety and softness of old-school romance has almost entirely disappeared.

Back then, Aamir and Juhi’s romance was simple and earnest. Compliments were gentle, teasing was sweet, and the moments of affection made you blush. Today, a lot of what is presented as ‘Gen Z romance’ in films makes us cringe. Personally, I don’t relate to the way love is portrayed onscreen now.

Debuts that we long for today

A still from Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak.

From my perspective, Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak was a dream launch for Aamir Khan and Juhi Chawla. The film, its writing, the emotional arcs, and the characters all worked in their favour. This is the kind of debut that we long for today, unlike the comparatively weak launches we’ve seen recently with Khushi Kapoor, Ibrahim Ali Khan, or Junaid Khan. Aamir and Juhi treated their first film as a real opportunity, and they rose to it beautifully.

If Gen Z love stories were crafted with this kind of heart, they wouldn’t be dismissed as ‘just content.’ Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak made me laugh, cry, and connect deeply with its love, rebellion, and tragedy. And if you loved Saiyaara, here’s a GenZ-approved tragic romance you should watch today. Don’t forget to get a box of tissues.

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