Directed by Shauna Gautam and starring debutants Ibrahim Ali Khan and Khushi Kapoor, “Nadaaniyan” is a romantic comedy that attempts to explore the world of privilege, teenage love, and class divides through the eyes of a young couple. Set in the high-society bubble of South Delhi, the film depicts the lives of some privileged characters. It’s about the struggles and contradictions they face, especially when it comes to family dynamics and their own personal growth.
Nadaaniyan: Plot Overview & Performance
The film follows Pia, played by Khushi Kapoor, a high schooler from a wealthy South Delhi family who is struggling to maintain her social status. Her father’s affair with another woman has led to a rift in the family, pushing Pia to seek out a way to fix her broken home and protect her social standing. Enter Arjun, a middle-class student from Noida, portrayed by Ibrahim Ali Khan. Pia hires Arjun to be her pretend boyfriend in order to stave off the disapproval of her high-society friends and keep her image intact. What begins as a fake relationship soon transforms into genuine affection, as the two develop a connection over time.
“Nadaaniyan” attempts to address the idea of identity in a world where how you’re seen matters more than who you really are. While it aims to blend romance with drama, it struggles to truly resonate with the audience, often feeling disconnected and failing to create a genuine emotional bond.
Viewers have expressed mixed reactions to the Netflix release of Nadaaniyan, with many describing it as bland and criticizing the two leads for failing to bring anything new to their roles. Tweets and comments have expressed disappointment, calling out the movie for not fully delivering on its potential, though it’s clear that there’s also a recognition of its attempts to appeal to a younger, modern audience. A user tweeted, “If you want a masterclass in how not to act, just watch Nadaaniyan on Netflix—Khushi Kapoor and Ibrahim Ali Khan will show you exactly what to avoid. Also, somebody get this nasal voice out of my head.” Another viewer shared their frustration, saying, “Nadaaniyan is so bad—like, so bad! I can’t even… How can a movie be this bad? NO PLOT, NO STORYLINE, NO ACTING! OMG.”
Some viewers noted a slight improvement in Khushi Kapoor’s performance, with one even commenting that Nadaaniyan turned out to be surprisingly good. They mentioned how Ibrahim Ali Khan’s debut was solid and acknowledged that Khushi Kapoor is definitely improving with each movie.
On the other hand, some are comparing the movie with the 90’s OG KKHH (kuch kuch hota hai), stating that Nadaaniyan doesn’t live up to the modern take on KKHH that the makers had promoted. They shared their frustration, saying that just ten minutes into the movie, they couldn’t handle it anymore, as it was nothing like Kuch Kuch Hota Hai at all. While some appreciate its glossy visuals and the youthful energy brought by the lead actors, the overall response has been mixed.