The latest film from Dharma Productions, titled Nadaaniyan, showcases the debut of Ibrahim Ali Khan alongside Khushi Kapoor and is directed by Shauna Gautam. Premiering on Netflix on March 7, 2025, the film attempts to weave together elements of romance, drama, and comedy—yet it falls short of expectations.
Reviews flood with critiques of the film's premise and execution. Several commentators noted how the film heavily borrows from various Karan Johar romcoms, drawing unmistakable parallels to classics like Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. The fabric of Nadaaniyan is woven together with nostalgic threads but lacks the sparkle and charm of its predecessors, making it feel derivative and uninspired.
The narrative introduces Pia Jaisingh, played by Khushi Kapoor, as she schemes to secure the love of her life by convincing Arjun Mehta, played by Ibrahim Ali Khan, to masquerade as her boyfriend. While ostensibly simple, this premise quickly descends, with critics describing it as childish and shallow.
Taking place within the lavish confines of Falcon High, the film's setting mirrors the elite school backdrop familiar to Johar’s previous works. Archana Puran Singh reprises her role as Ms. Braganza, but even nostalgia cannot redeem this film’s lack of substance. Critics observed: "The characters live within their bubble, engaged in trivial pursuits, far removed from the realities faced by actual high school students today."
With Arjun having working-class origins and Pia hailing from affluence, the juxtaposition of their backgrounds seemed ripe for exploration. Instead, it devolves to caricatured encounters, with Pia's character being described as the "poster princess of privilege and entitlement." The narrative skims over significant themes—patriarchy and societal pressures—without delving deeply enough to evoke real engagement.
Without fail, the film’s flaws are echoed throughout the reviews. For many, the comedy feels forced and the dialogue stilted to the point of inducing cringes. “A bad idea, packaged as youthful charm,” remarked one review. Critics uniformly conveyed annoyance over stereotypical portrayals, stating how such narratives perpetuate outdated tropes among youth.
The mixed-to-poor performances of the lead actors come under scrutiny as well. While Ibrahim Ali Khan's looks and physique are appealing, many find his delivery lacking. One review simply mentioned, "He seems to be reading lines instead of engaging with them." On the other hand, Khushi Kapoor's portrayal is somewhat more favorable, with observers noting her emotional moments attempted depth but faltered with less impactful dialogue delivery.
Interestingly enough, critiques extended beyond just the lead performances. Supporting actors like Suniel Shetty and Mahima Chaudhary were labeled underutilized, diminishing the potential of conveying multi-dimensional familial roles.
The overarching opinion suggests not only disappointment in the film’s failure to innovate or create compelling narratives but also raises concern about the pathway Bollywood is heading, particularly concerning its youth-centric narratives. The backdrop of affluent youth grappling with superficial dilemmas is seen as unrelatable and uninspired for today's modern audience.
Some reviews echo the sentiment of nostalgia for what Karan Johar's films used to represent, expressing dismay at how far the quality of contemporary productions has strayed. Filmmakers themselves seem caught between the appeal of star kids and the necessity for genuine storytelling, leading to works like Nadaaniyan feeling like mere assignments, failing to engage or resonate.
Rating averages for the film hover between 1 and 2 stars—indicating a significant gap between audience expectation and what was delivered. The general consensus leans toward the conclusion: "A film about teenage love should captivate, not frustrate."
Indeed, Nadaaniyan epitomizes those kinds of rom-coms best left unmade, leaving viewers yearning for the films of years past instead of celebrating today's offerings.