“Nadaaniyan,” directed by Shauna Gautam, marks the acting debut of Ibrahim Ali Khan, son of Saif Ali Khan and Amrita Singh. Along with Khushi Kapoor, daughter of the late Sridevi and producer Boney Kapoor. Nadaaniyan review is long awaited. It is produced by Karan Johar’s Dharmatic Entertainment, the film was released on Netflix on March 7, 2025.
Nadaaniyan Review
The narrative centers on Pia Jaisingh (Khushi Kapoor), a privileged teenager from South Delhi. Amidst familial and social challenges, she hires Arjun Mehta (Ibrahim Ali Khan). He is a middle-class scholarship student who is asked to pose as her boyfriend. This arrangement, intended to navigate her personal dilemmas, predictably evolves into genuine affection between the two characters.
Criticism
The film’s attempt to blend classic rom-com tropes with contemporary Gen Z elements, has been met with widespread criticism. Nandini Ramnath of Scroll.in describes “Nadaaniyan” as “mostly breezy and quickly forgettable,”. She said that it lacks compelling characters and scenarios that elicit emotional investment. Similarly, Saibal Chatterjee of NDTV labels it “a passably lively but spectacularly shallow rom-com,” highlighting the film’s failure to effectively address serious themes due to its glib tone.
The screenplay, penned by Ishita Moitra, Riva Razdan Kapoor, and Jehan Handa, has been particularly criticized. It is primarily done for its superficial portrayal of school life and lack of depth. Rishabh Suri of Hindustan Times remarks that the film’s world “exists in a bubble, isolated from the realities of life.” Pointing out the screenplay’s tone-deaf depiction of school experiences, the movie looks isolated. Bohini Bandopadhyay of Mid-Day echoes this sentiment, suggesting that the script feels as though it were AI-generated, lacking genuine creativity and authenticity.
In terms of performances, both lead actors have faced scrutiny. Shubhra Gupta of The Indian Express criticizes the film as a rehash of previous Karan Johar rom-coms but without the “trademark sparkle.” He implies that the actors failed to bring freshness to the recycled plot. Rahul Desai of The Hollywood Reporter India is more direct in his assessment, stating that both Kapoor and Khan appeared “at-sea” in this “vacant vanity vehicle,” suggesting a lack of direction and depth in their portrayals.
Social Media Reviews
The film’s release has also sparked discussions on social media, with many viewers expressing disappointment. A Reddit thread dedicated to “Nadaaniyan” features users labeling the movie as “a colossal waste of money,” criticizing its poor writing and absurd storytelling. Additionally, dialogues from the film have been mocked for their cringe-worthy nature, with some viewers describing the experience as “torture.”
In conclusion, “Nadaaniyan” aimed to be a contemporary romantic comedy introducing fresh faces from Bollywood dynasties. However, due to its shallow narrative, underdeveloped characters, and lackluster performances, it fails to make a lasting impression, serving as a cautionary example of the challenges inherent in balancing legacy and innovation in cinema.