Naadaniyan Movie Review

Story Overview

Naadaniyan attempts to tell a teen rom-com story set in a high-end Delhi school, centered around Pia Jaisingh (Khushi Kapoor), who hires Arjun Mehta (Ibrahim Ali Khan) to act as her boyfriend on social media. Designed for Instagram influencers and Gen-Z aesthetics, the narrative tries to blend social media satire with romance, but ultimately feels hollow and contrived.

Performances and Casting

Ibrahim Ali Khan brings charm and effort to his acting debut, but critics note a lack of emotional depth and authenticity in his delivery.
Khushi Kapoor has screen presence, yet feels stiff and unconvincing, especially in emotional scenes.
Support from seasoned actors like Suniel Shetty and Mahima Chaudhry is underutilized, with their roles feeling tokenistic.

Writing, Tone & Humor

The screenplay follows a beaten path—rich girl meets middle-class boy—without innovation or wit. The dialogue is flat, and the humor tires quickly.
The film touches on patriarchy and class but barely scratches the surface.

Visuals & Aesthetic

Crafted in classic Dharmatic style, the visuals are glossy and stylish, emphasizing aesthetic appeal over substance. Costume and set design are polished but feel superficial.

Audience & Social Media Backlash

On Rotten Tomatoes, the film earned a mere 13% critic approval and 23% audience score.
Critics labeled it formulaic, outdated, and lacking resonance.
Social platforms were rife with mockery: users criticized its over-reliance on influencer casting and artificial tone.

Karan Johar acknowledged the backlash, calling the film widely “dissed” and urging critics to move on.
Ibrahim Ali Khan spoke candidly about the challenges of facing backlash fueled by nepotism discourse.

Final Verdict

Rating: ★★☆☆☆ (2/5)
Naadaniyan wears its pedigree on its sleeve but fails to deliver emotional truth or originality. It’s a stylish but insubstantial debut for its young leads and a missed opportunity to explore modern teen life with depth or insight.

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