Nadaaniyan, released on the 7th of March, 2025 is essentially a Hindi-language teen romantic comedy film which is directed by Shauna Gautam, marking her directorial debut. Produced by Karan Johar under Dharmatic Entertainment, the film features Khushi Kapoor and newcomer Ibrahim Ali Khan in lead roles, alongside seasoned and legendary actors like Mahima Chaudhry, Dia Mirza, Suniel Shetty and Jugal Hansraj.

Let’s explore everything about this film so that there is a clear picture whether it has been a hit or a miss!

THE PLOT:

Set in the upscale world of South Delhi’s elite Falcon High School, Nadaaniyan follows Pia (Khushi Kapoor), a rich and popular girl whose life takes an unexpected turn when she has a fallout with her best friends. Struggling to maintain her social image, Pia devises a plan—she hires Arjun (Ibrahim Ali Khan), a new transfer student from a middle-class background, to pretend to be her boyfriend on social media.

At first, their fake relationship is just a social media stunt, but as they spend more time together, unexpected emotions start developing. Arjun, who initially takes up the offer for financial reasons, finds himself drawn to Pia’s world, while Pia begins to see life beyond materialistic luxuries. As their carefully crafted illusion starts blurring into reality, complications arise. Pia’s old friends get suspicious, Arjun struggles with his own insecurities, and their contract-based relationship turns into a rollercoaster of emotions, misunderstandings, and self-discovery.

With a mix of romance, humor, and drama, Nadaaniyan explores themes of social status, self-worth, and the unpredictability of love.

THE PERFORMANCES:

The movie, in terms of delivering good performances, is essentially dependant on the supporting cast. While Ibrahim Ali Khan and Khushi Kapoor have tried and have managed to do some scenes decently, their overall performance is rather disappointing. The senior and seasoned actors like Dia Mirza, Mahima Chaudhry, Suniel Shetty and Jugal Hansraj are exceptional throughout. They almost cover up for the bad acting of the lead pair. Influencers like Apoorva Mukhija and Agasthya Shah have performed decently well.

If there has to be a standout performance, it definitely has to be of Dia Mirza. She is so honest while displaying her emotions that it made me almost fall in love with her character.

DIRECTION AND SCREENPLAY:

Directed by Shauna Gautam in her debut, Nadaaniyan is visually polished but narratively predictable. The film sticks to the classic teen romance formula, offering a blend of high school drama, social media influence, and class differences. While the concept of a fake relationship turning real isn’t new, the execution remains lively due to its modern setting and youthful energy.

The pacing of the film is uneven. The first half moves at a breezy pace, filled with fun, social media moments, and witty dialogues. However, the second half slows down as it delves into deeper emotions, occasionally dragging certain conflicts. The transition from lighthearted comedy to emotional drama could have been smoother.

Nadaaniyan is yet another example of boomers trying to make Gen-Z films, but failing at it eventually.

MUSIC AND BACKGROUND SCORE:

The music of Nadaaniyan, composed by Sachin-Jigar, is one of the strongest elements which were desperately needed by this film. The music perfectly complements the youthful and romantic theme of the film. The standout song for me definitely has to be “Ishq Mein”, a soulful love song, which enhances the film’s emotional depth, especially during the transition from their fake relationship to real feelings.

The background score is light and breezy in the first half, filled with fun, quirky beats, but shifts to a more dramatic tone in the second half. The emotional moments are well-supported by soft instrumentals, though at times, the background music feels slightly overdone.

Overall, the music and background score elevate the film’s mood, adding charm to the storytelling. While the soundtrack isn’t groundbreaking, it successfully enhances the film’s romantic and youthful essence.

STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES:

Strengths:

• Fresh & Youthful Energy – The film successfully captures Gen Z culture, blending social media, high school drama, and modern romance.
• Strong Visual Appeal – The cinematography is sleek, showcasing the elite South Delhi lifestyle with vibrant party scenes and trendy fashion.
• Catchy Music – Sachin-Jigar’s soundtrack especially adds charm and enhances key moments.
• Relatable Themes – The film touches on social status, self-worth, and the pressures of online image, making it relevant to today’s youth.

Weaknesses:

• Predictable Storyline – The fake dating trope is familiar, and the film doesn’t bring anything significantly new to the genre.
• Uneven Pacing – The first half is lively and engaging, but the second half slows down with dragging emotional conflicts.
• Surface-Level Writing – Some emotional moments feel underdeveloped, lacking the depth needed to make a lasting impact.
• Occasionally Forced Dialogues – While the film uses trendy Gen Z slang, some dialogues feel scripted rather than natural.
• Mixed Performances – While the leads show promise, their performances feel raw in certain emotional scenes, needing more polish.

I would like to conclude this article by stating that the film essentially deserves a 2.5/5 rating for the reasons mentioned above. I hope I could help you in deciding, whether or not you should watch this film.

The movie is available on Netflix. Let me know how you felt about Nadaaniyan if you’ve watched it!

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