“Nadaaniyan,” the latest Bollywood rom-com starring Ibrahim Ali Khan and Khushi Kapoor, premiered on Netflix on March 7, 2025. Despite the anticipation surrounding the debut of these star kids, the film has been met with widespread criticism from both critics and audiences.
The plot centers on Pia (Khushi Kapoor), a popular student at Falcon High in Delhi, who, after a fallout with her friends, hires new transfer student Arjun (Ibrahim Ali Khan) to pose as her boyfriend on social media. While the premise employs the familiar ‘fake dating’ trope, critics have panned the film for its lack of depth and originality. Decider’s review highlighted the film’s superficial execution and poor character development, stating that it “seriously lacks the depth and incisiveness to actually say anything over its 2-hour runtime.”
Social media platforms have been abuzz with negative reactions. Users on X (formerly Twitter) have labeled the film as “unbearable” and “trashy.” One user commented, “I decided to watch Nadaaniyan for my nepo dharma brainrot dose and bro Khushi Kapoor is worse than I had set the bar for her and I promise you the bar was low extremely low.”
Another user expressed disappointment, stating, “Just finished Nadaaniyan… Bollywood romcoms we are soooo NOT BACK.”
The Times of India reported that some viewers found the film “unbearable” within the first five minutes, with one user suggesting that watching it might prompt canceling a Netflix subscription.
However, a segment of the audience appreciated the lead cast’s performances, noting Khushi’s improvement as an actress.
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Produced by Karan Johar’s Dharmatic Entertainment and directed by Shauna Gautam, “Nadaaniyan” was intended to be a launchpad for Ibrahim Ali Khan. However, the film’s reception indicates a significant disconnect between the filmmakers’ intentions and audience expectations. As one critic aptly put it, “Whoever thought that they could make a re-packaged ‘Student of the Year’ fly again, didn’t know that there’s a limit to testing the audience’s patience.”
In conclusion, “Nadaaniyan” has struggled to resonate with its intended audience, facing criticism for its lackluster execution and perceived reliance on nepotism. As Bollywood continues to evolve, this film serves as a reminder of the importance of substance and originality in storytelling.
