Movie Name : Nadaaniyan
Release Date : March 7, 2025
123telugu.com Rating : 2/5
Starring : Ibrahim Ali Khan, Khushi Kapoor, Lakshya, Aditi Saigal, Chaya Kadam, Jugal Hansraj, Dipannita Sharma, Varun Buddhadev, Akshay Oberoi, Anjuman Saxena, Aamir Khan (Child Artist)
Director : Shauna Gautam
Producers : Karan Johar, Apoorva Mehta, Somen Mishra
Music Directors : Sachin-Jigar, Tushar Lall
Cinematographer : Anuj Samtani
Editors : Vaishnavi Bhate, Sidhanth Seth
Related Links : Trailer
Nadaaniyan is the latest Bollywood movie that premiered on Netflix today. The film marks the debut of Ibrahim Ali Khan, son of Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan, alongside Khushi Kapoor as the female lead. Let’s see how this rom-com fares.
Story:
Pia Jai Singh (Khushi Kapoor), a wealthy teenager from South Delhi, is determined to maintain her social status at school. To impress her friends, she hires Arjun Mehta (Ibrahim Ali Khan), a studious middle-class boy from Noida, paying him Rs. 25,000 per week to act as her boyfriend. What begins as a simple transaction soon entangles them in a web of unexpected emotions, forcing them to confront their stark differences, hidden insecurities, and the fragile nature of the world they’ve built around them.
Plus Points:
Ibrahim Ali Khan makes a decent debut and, at times, reminds us of his father, Saif Ali Khan. He looks confident on-screen and performs well in a few scenes. His chemistry with Khushi Kapoor is average, but he manages to hold his ground.
Dia Mirza, who plays Ibrahim’s mother, does well in her limited role. Jugal Hansraj, who plays Ibrahim’s father, delivers a sincere performance, and his scenes with Ibrahim are well executed. Their father-son bond is one of the better aspects of the film.
The film’s production design is one of its strongest points. The makers have invested significantly to give the movie a grand and stylish look. The sets, costumes, and visuals perfectly capture the high-class South Delhi vibe.
Minus Points:
The title “Nadaaniyan” translates to ‘innocence,’ but the film comes off as more foolish than innocent. The storyline is predictable and lacks depth, which makes it clear why the filmmakers chose an OTT release over a theatrical one. It seems they were aware that it wouldn’t succeed on the big screen.
Khushi Kapoor looks good on screen, but her acting needs significant improvement. In several scenes, her expressions and dialogue delivery feel weak, making her performance unconvincing.
The film attempts to depict Gen Z culture but presents an exaggerated and unrealistic version of teenage life. The high school students in the movie constantly bully, party, or fake relationships as if it’s the norm. While this might appeal to a niche audience, most viewers will find it over the top and hard to relate to.
The supporting cast includes some well-known faces, but they are barely given anything substantial to do. The focus remains entirely on the lead pair, making the other characters feel like fillers. The writers seemed too busy making the protagonists look “cool” and neglecting the rest.
Despite having a runtime of less than two hours, the film feels stretched. The biggest issue is the unnecessary songs. Just when the story starts moving forward, a song pops up, slowing the pace. Tighter editing could have avoided this drag.
Technical Aspects:
The production design is excellent, giving the film a vibrant and polished look. The cinematography is decent, effectively capturing the upscale setting. However, the direction is weak, and the storytelling lacks impact. The film needed better editing, as many scenes could have been trimmed to maintain a smoother flow. The music is just average and doesn’t leave a lasting impression. However, the Telugu dubbing is fine.
Verdict:
On the whole, Nadaaniyan is aimed at Gen Z, but even they might find it hard to connect with its unrealistic take on teenage life. While Ibrahim Ali Khan shows potential, the film doesn’t do much to leave a strong impression. Khushi Kapoor still has a long way to go in terms of acting. Skip it and save your time.
123telugu.com Rating: 2/5
Reviewed by 123telugu Team