What ‘Saiyaara’ taught us about memory loss: 6 early signs of Alzheimer’s and can it affect people in their 20s?

Everyone knew the movie Saiyaara as a love story, marketed with all the flavours of romance, heartbreak, and music. But what caught many off-guard was its deep dive into something often misunderstood and rarely spoken about: early-onset Alzheimer’s disease.
At the heart of the story is Vaani Batra, a 22-year-old with quiet ambition and a kind soul, who begins experiencing unusual memory lapses. What starts as small forgetfulness eventually leads to a heartbreaking diagnosis. The film doesn't just explore love, but also highlights the harsh truth of a condition many believe only affects the elderly.

But Alzheimer’s can sometimes begin much earlier than expected, even in the 20s or 30s. And while it’s rare, it’s not impossible. Saiyaara opens up a difficult but necessary conversation. Here are six early signs of Alzheimer’s that are often mistaken for random forgetfulness, stress, or simply being ‘too busy’.

One might think forgetting names or birthdays is normal, and often, it is. But what Saiyaara subtly showcased is something deeper. In the film, Vaani couldn’t recall entire conversations she’d had just hours earlier.

This kind of memory loss isn’t about forgetfulness from distraction. It’s about failing to encode the memory in the first place. People may keep asking the same question again and again, not out of curiosity, but because the information never really registered. This is often an early red flag, but gets dismissed as “being tired” or “just stressed out.”

Remember how Vaani couldn't tell the current date when asked at the hospital? That moment was telling.

Early Alzheimer’s often blurs a person’s sense of time and sequence. A task done just this morning might feel like it happened last week. Events get tangled, and the brain struggles to place them on a timeline. This isn’t about being forgetful, it’s about the brain losing its ability to organise memory chronologically.

Krish notices a shift in Vaani’s enthusiasm. She stops working on her journalistic dreams and grows increasingly distant from her world.

This withdrawal isn’t always emotional, it can be cognitive. Early-onset Alzheimer’s can affect executive functioning, making it difficult to plan, organise thoughts, or follow through with tasks. When the brain begins struggling silently, passions start fading without clear reason. It’s often mistaken for burnout or depression, but sometimes, it’s something else.

Forgetfulness is one thing. But putting keys in the fridge or storing a phone in a shoe rack? That’s another level.

This happens due to the brain’s spatial-temporal confusion, a hallmark of early Alzheimer’s. It’s not that things are forgotten; it’s that the brain can’t place objects where they logically belong. These moments often feel funny or quirky at first, but can indicate a deeper cognitive disruption.

Language difficulties in early Alzheimer’s are often subtle. Words are replaced with similar ones (“thing” instead of “pen”), or a person might circle around a term endlessly. It’s not stammering or nervousness, it’s the brain’s word-bank becoming unreliable.

Uncharacteristic decision-making and confusion in routine tasks
Early Alzheimer’s can interfere with problem-solving and decision-making, even in routine life. Following a recipe, managing finances, or navigating apps can become confusing. This often goes unnoticed because the tasks are small, but these subtle shifts are where the truth hides.

Here’s what medical experts say:
Yes, early-onset Alzheimer’s is real, but extremely rare in those under 30. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, less than 5% of all Alzheimer's cases are early-onset (occurring before age 65), and cases in the 20s are almost always linked to genetic mutations, often familial Alzheimer's disease (FAD).

While not common, such cases have been documented in medical literature. For example, mutations in the PSEN1, PSEN2, or APP genes can trigger Alzheimer’s as early as adolescence, though this is rare.

Most people in their 20s showing cognitive difficulties are more likely to face stress, trauma, vitamin deficiencies (especially B12), thyroid imbalances, or mental health conditions like depression or ADHD, not Alzheimer’s. But awareness is crucial, because rare doesn’t mean impossible.

[This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Alzheimer's disease, especially early-onset types, is complex and rare. If any unusual cognitive symptoms are observed, professional medical consultation is strongly recommended.]