SAIYAARA (Star) — an intense love story which introduces Ahaan Panday in the Hindi film industry and also stars Aneet Padda as the female lead — is set to release on Friday, July 18 in theatres worldwide.
And in a bold move to back fresh voices, YRF introduces composer Rishabh Kant — popularly known as The Rish — marking his official Bollywood debut with the film’s much-talked-about track, Barbaad.
Rishabh, who is in his twenties and grew up in Mumbai, has a connection to Canada. His parents, Anil and Reena Kant, live in Delta, British Columbia.
Collaborating with celebrated filmmaker Mohit Suri, known for transforming music into emotional lifeblood (Aashiqui 2, Ek Villain), Saiyaara is a multi-dimensional launchpad — not just for new acting talent, but for a new wave of sound.
“The song isn’t written the typical way — and that’s exactly what we set out to do,” says Rishabh. “Barbaad doesn’t follow a standard Bollywood formula. It’s raw, poetic, and emotionally restless — just like the first heartbreak.”
The musical synergy between Rishabh and Mohit Suri has drawn attention. “Mohit Suri has always been the gold standard of music,” says Rishabh. “Every decade, he reinvents Bollywood’s soundscape. He saw potential in my songwriting and elevated Barbaad beyond anything I imagined. His music is what pulled me into Indian sound in the first place, and since I’m a product of that generation, this genre flows effortlessly from me. I’ve learned so much from him — it’s been transformative.”
Vocals for Barbaad are rendered by Jubin Nautiyal, and Rishabh can’t praise him enough: “Jubin has this natural timbre of romance in his voice. The lyrics trace a journey from hesitation to surrender, and he captured that transition with such depth and grace. I honestly can’t imagine the song in any other voice.”
The reprise has been soulfully rendered by the acclaimed Shilpa Rao, earning much appreciation for its emotive melody. Rishabh has composed and produced this stirring rendition as well.
While Rishabh has made waves in the indie music space, Saiyaara marks his formal entrance into mainstream cinema — and with the might of YRF behind him. “I’m in my 20s with zero film background. Debuting with Yash Raj Films is something I couldn’t have even dreamt of. They’re creators of legacy. And I truly believe Saiyaara is going to be a milestone — the cast, the music, the story — it all feels like the future of Bollywood.”
As Saiyaara builds anticipation, Barbaad is already striking a chord with listeners — signaling the arrival of a new sound, a new voice, and a bold new chapter in Bollywood music.
SAIYAARA
Starring: Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda
Presented by: Aditya Chopra
Director: Mohit Suri
Producer: Akshaye Widhani
