- Star Cast: Mahima Chaudhry, Suniel Shetty, Khushi Kapoor, Ibrahim Ali Khan
- Director: Shauna Gautam
- Runtime: 1 hour 59 minutes
- Available On: Netflix
- Language: Hindi
- Watch or Not?: Yes
- What’s Bad: Nothing to point out!
- What’s Good: The star cast
Movie Rating: 3.5 stars
Bollywood captured the essence of love 36 years ago when the playful yet sincere Prem professed his feelings to the reserved yet clever Suman in Maine Pyaar Kiya. As the years rolled by, college romances became the trend, with short skirts setting fashion goals and chewing gum symbolizing effortless coolness.
Back then, a Rahul flaunting a “Cool” chain made hearts skip a beat, and Anjali’s iconic words, “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Rahul. Tum Nahi Samjhoge,” became unforgettable.
Fast forward to today, and we have Nadaaniyan, where Khushi Kapoor’s Pia Jaisingh and Ibrahim Ali Khan’s Arjun Mehta are experiencing young love in a school—proof of how much times have evolved.
Generations have held onto old-school romance due to a gap left unfilled by modern love stories. In fact, after Genelia and Imran’s Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na, Bollywood lacked a full-fledged school or college romance until Student of the Year—and even that feels like ages ago.
Table of Contents
Nadaaniyan Movie Review: Script Analysis
The movie presents a straightforward storyline, free of twists, to highlight the journey of two young individuals, their perspectives, and emotional struggles.
Coming from contrasting worlds, they must find a way to coexist. Will their differences influence their relationship? Will their career choices shape their future? And above all, can love truly overcome every challenge?
Written by Shauna Gautam, Jehan Handa, and Ishani Moitra, the film’s script is quite simple yet effective, catering perfectly to its target audience.
Instead of poetic reflections on love like those of Meer, Faiz, or Elia, it captures the essence of a Gen-Z couple who constantly update their social media. Their emphasis on clear and impactful communication drives the storyline.
The script simply unfolds as depicted in the Nadaaniyan trailer. Pia Jaisingh hires Arjun Mehta to pretend to be her boyfriend and compensates him for it. While she has no shortage of money, Arjun looks keen on saving up for a meaningful investment.
It was mainly a straightforward deal with no hidden intentions or dramatic turns. But love has a way of finding its place in the most ordinary moments and unforeseen circumstances. Nadaaniyan captures this beautifully, offering a heartfelt romance that many Gen-Z audiences might resonate with.
Nadaaniyan Movie Review: Star Performance
The biggest strength of this romantic drama lies in its outstanding cast! Ibrahim Ali Khan brings back the much-missed chocolate boy charm in Bollywood. At present, no actor truly owns this genre, with Sidharth Malhotra being the last to step into that space.
Saif Ali Khan truly set the benchmark for the metrosexual chocolate boy, reigning over this image for almost a decade, from Dil Chahta Hai to Love Aaj Kal!
Now, Ibrahim naturally steps into his father’s legacy, showcasing his sincerity and effortless acting. With his charisma and sharp wit, he has all the makings of a star, and hopefully, he will rise to the top.
The film also has the presence of Khushi Kapoor, who meanwhile, brings the charm of a Disney princess to her role. She portrays it with ease, and her chemistry with Ibrahim feels smooth and convincing, just like their make-believe yet heartfelt romance.
Standing by the young leads is 90s favorite Jugal Hansraj, who effortlessly takes on the role of a Gen-Z father, with Dia Mirza as Ibrahim’s mother.
Her confrontation scene delivers a striking generational contrast. Meanwhile, Mahima Chaudhary and Suniel Shetty portray Khushi Kapoor’s parents.
Nadaaniyan Movie Review: Music & Direction
Directed by Shauna Gautam, Nadaaniyan brings a breath of fresh air to Netflix, reminiscent of the beloved Disney-style stories that have captivated teenagers for years, yet are rarely seen in Bollywood.
Ibrahim Ali Khan and Khushi Kapoor portray the ideal school-aged teens, unapologetically confident in their decisions, determined to make their parents proud.
Nadaaniyan basically thrives on meaningful character arcs that keep the story on course. A young couple, united by a playful pact in school, find strength in each other, helping one another uncover their true potential and value. They motivate each other to aim for more rewarding career paths than they originally planned.
The soundtrack is easily the film’s standout feature! Each song resonates beautifully, with Pag Ghungroo Baandh, despite resembling Radha from Student Of The Year—fitting in perfectly and enhancing the overall experience.
Nadaaniyan Movie Review: Conclusion
In their roles as Arjun and Pia, Ibrahim and Khushi represent a generation that embraces both smart technology and smart choices. They understand that love is just one piece of life, not its entirety. They have clear priorities and a deep respect for themselves.
It clearly looked as they became quite playful in love, but they’re certainly more serious when it comes to life. As Khushi Kapoor cleverly mentions early on, “Hamari therapy fees hamare school fees se bhi zyada hai!”
This highlights how this generation recognizes the importance of mental health and their real-life struggles. To truly connect with the film, you just need to see it through the lens of today’s driven generation, eager to succeed, and everything will fall into place.
Movie Rating: 3.5 stars
Nadaaniyan Trailer
Also Read: DUPAHIYA Review: The Web Series Stands Out for Its Engaging Plot, & Stellar Performances
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