Ibrahim Ali Khan and Khushi Kapoor shine, but the film struggles with clichés and a predictable storyline.
A Glamorous High School Romance That Feels Too Familiar
Nadaaniyan, streaming on Netflix, is a stylish high-school romance filled with drama, privilege, and a sprinkle of social issues. Produced by Dharmatic Entertainment and directed by Shauna Gautam, the film attempts to mix Gen Z relatability with Bollywood’s classic rom-com style. While it looks visually appealing and has its charming moments, it ultimately feels more like a wannabe Karan Johar movie than an original coming-of-age story.
The film follows Pia Jaisingh (Khushi Kapoor) and Arjun Mehta (Ibrahim Ali Khan), two students at Falcon High, an elite Delhi school where students dress like runway models but rarely attend actual classes. Pia is a rich but emotionally neglected girl, while Arjun is a middle-class, goal-oriented boy from Noida who dreams of starting a legal aid startup. When Pia needs a fake boyfriend to keep her “friend-family” together, she strikes a deal with Arjun, leading to a series of predictable ups and downs in their love story.
Same Old Story, Just A New Generation
The film borrows heavily from Bollywood classics like Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, but without much originality. The contrast between “aloo-gobhi” and “squid ink pasta”, or the Noida-vs-elite Delhi clash, feels forced rather than refreshing. It tries to touch on deep themes like patriarchy, class differences, and gender bias, but the lighthearted storytelling weakens their impact.
Pia’s struggles with her family’s expectations add some emotional depth. Her father (Suniel Shetty) constantly reminds her that she isn’t part of the family’s future plans because she isn’t a boy, while her mother (Mahima Chaudhry) silently endures her own disappointments. These moments could have been powerful, but they get overshadowed by the film’s attempt to stay fun and glamorous.
Performances: A Mixed Bag
Ibrahim Ali Khan makes a decent debut, bringing charm to his “perfect boyfriend-on-hire” role. He handles his serious moments well, but at times, his dialogue delivery lacks natural ease. Khushi Kapoor, in her third film, does well as the “poor little rich girl”, but her character doesn’t have enough depth for her to truly shine.
The supporting cast does their job—Apoorva Makhija and Aaliyah Qureishi play Pia’s best friends, adding bits of drama and humor. Dev Agasteya as the arrogant Ayaan Nanda is convincing as the snobbish villain, though his role is fairly predictable.
Special mention to Archana Puran Singh, who plays the school principal, Braganza Malhotra—a clear throwback to Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’s Miss Braganza and Mr. Malhotra. She provides some lighthearted moments, but her over-the-top dialogue filled with texting abbreviations (LOL, BRB, etc.) feels forced.
Final Verdict: Fun But Forgettable
Nadaaniyan is visually appealing, easy to watch, and has a few entertaining moments, but it lacks originality and emotional depth. It tries to be Gen Z’s version of a classic Bollywood rom-com, but instead, it feels like a shallow imitation.
While Ibrahim and Khushi show promise, they are held back by a script that doesn’t offer them much to work with. If you enjoy light-hearted, glossy teen dramas, this film might be a fun one-time watch, but don’t expect anything groundbreaking.
⭐ Rating: 1.5/5
