Nadaaniyan Movie Review | Filmfare.com (2025)

At its core, Nadaaniyan is K-drama lite with a sprinkling of Student of the Year vibes, served with an extra side of filtered Instagram perfection. Produced by Karan Johar’s Dharmatic Entertainment, the film is the epitome of modern romance, complete with the intense social media pressures and the ever-present pursuit of ambition. The film taps directly into the lives of the Instagram generation, delivering a perfect cocktail for anyone who's been swept up by the allure of curated perfection, only to stumble face-first into the chaos behind the lens.

The story revolves around two seemingly mismatched characters whose worlds collide in a whirlwind of love, dreams, and, naturally, Instagram-worthy moments. Pia Jai Singh (Khushi Kapoor) is the epitome of a South Delhi socialite — stylish, privileged, and navigating the complexities of love like it's the most high-stakes business deal she’ll ever make. Arjun Mehta (Ibrahim Ali Khan), on the other hand, is the poster child for the aspirational middle-class dreamer from Greater Noida. With big dreams (and, we might add, even bigger abs), Arjun’s quest to secure a spot at an Ivy League university takes a rather unconventional turn: he clinches the opportunity by flexing his six-pack in front of a room of fellow students, who, for reasons unknown, suddenly deem him the perfect candidate. The mystery of how this works out is left delightfully unexplained — it’s all part of the charm.

The plot picks up when Pia offers Arjun a deal: Rs 25K a week to pretend to be her boyfriend. They find themselves entering into a partnership that’s bound to alter both their lives in ways neither of them could predict, especially when real feelings enter the fray.

Nadaaniyan thrives on a bedrock of clichés: rich kids are emotionally stunted, middle-class kids are wholesome, and everything revolves around societal expectations. Here, a character whose father is a doctor in Noida and mother a teacher in an elite Delhi school is labelled “poor.” The film tries to convince us that Arjun, whose family owns a sprawling house in Noida, is scraping by, dreaming of the day he can retire his parents in luxury. And naturally, both characters fantasise about making it big in London — because, apparently, that’s the one-way ticket to a sorted life. The film fleetingly takes up cudgels against patriarchy but then abandons the idea. And again, why does a girl need a guy to know her worth?

Ibrahim Ali Khan, making his debut, handles everything with a confident ease. While his character doesn’t have much to work with in terms of narrative complexity, Ibrahim’s emotional scenes — particularly the one where he breaks down in front of his father (Jugal Hansraj) — showcase his raw vulnerability. He possesses a good screen presence alright and shows genuine promise as a future star. He’s not just riding on his famous last name, but is trying hard to prove his mettle. Khushi Kapoor’s Pia may initially seem like a character crafted more for her glamour than any emotional depth, but she rises above the script in emotionally charged moments. Her chemistry with Ibrahim is effortlessly natural and thankfully the director hasn’t sexualised it.

Suniel Shetty and Mahima Chaudhry, playing Khushi’s parents, provide some OG gravitas, with the constant tension which exists between them. Jugal Hansraj, who looks like the North Indian version of Kamal Haasan, is in fine form here as a caring father, as is Dia Mirza, who shines as the loving mother but doesn’t actually look old enough to be Ibrahim’s mother.

Summing up, Nadaaniyan rushes forward like a roller coaster ride, sweeping you along before you’ve even had time to process the logic of it all. It’s precisely this absurdity that makes it oddly endearing. Debutant Ibrahim Ali Khan proves that he’s a name to watch, delivering a performance that’s both charming and confident, while Khushi Kapoor continues to show her growth. It’s a breezy watch that puts style above substance. If you’re in the mood for a lighthearted teenage rom com, then this one fits the bill to a T. The film is currently streaming on Netflix.

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