Nadaaniyan, directed by Shauna Gautam, marks the debut of Ibrahim Ali Khan alongside Khushi Kapoor in a Gen-Z romantic drama. The film attempts to explore youthful romance but has received mixed reviews from critics. The plot lacks depth and poor writing.
The narrative centers on Pia Jaisingh (Khushi Kapoor) high-class family girl. Also, a privileged social media influencer from Delhi, and on the other hand, Arjun Mehta (Ibrahim Ali Khan), an ambitious law aspirant from Noida. Their contrasting worlds collide when Pia hires Arjun to pose as her boyfriend, leading to unforeseen romantic entanglements that looks copy and paste. The story delves into themes of superficial friendships, personal aspirations, and the quest for genuine connections. The story leads to serious connection with emotionless drama between them.
When I watch the movie, I feel nostalgic, watching Saif Ali Khan with Akshay Kumar or Ajay Devgn movies back in the 90s. Ibrahim sometimes not only looks but also acts like his father. The story revolves around the college and story that is very common, and hence there is nothing special in the story. I felt like watching a TV serial on Netflix. However, this is really a great start for his career. He looks handsome and not bad at acting. It was a great decision by Karan Johar that it was released on the OTT; otherwise, it could not have been a successful venture on the big screen.
The film has garnered criticism for its lackluster screenplay and unconvincing portrayal of contemporary youth. Hindustan Times describes it as a “two hours of yawn fest,” noting that the screenplay “simply fails to take off,” resulting in a film that “acts as a sleeping pill.” Similarly, India Today criticizes the film for its outdated narrative, stating that it “feels like a slow, overbearing experience of a story which is equal parts phoney and outdated.”
Ibrahim Ali Khan’s debut performance has been met with disappointment as I told you like copy and paste of his father’s early years of career. Hindustan Times remarks that he maintains a “constant confused/disgusted expression,” leading to a “disappointing debut.” I could have been a best start for him if it was a plan in such a way. Khushi Kapoor fares slightly better, handling emotional scenes with some depth, though her dialogue delivery lacks nuance. The supporting cast, including Suniel Shetty and Mahima Chaudhary, is noted for their limited roles that do not significantly impact the narrative. Thus, Ibrahim’s mother, Dia Mirza also add some depth to narratives.
Shauna Gautam’s directorial approach has been critiqued for failing to resonate with the target audience. India Today points out that the film “doesn’t take any time in establishing that it has no idea about the aspirations, the situations and the challenges of the Gen-Z.” The film’s visuals are described as reminiscent of a “low-budget school play rather than a polished romance.” and it is exactly well said.
Nadaaniyan aspires to capture the essence of modern youthful romance but falls short due to its weak screenplay, underwhelming performances, and a narrative that fails to engage. While Khushi Kapoor shows potential, Ibrahim Ali Khan‘s debut does not leave a lasting impression. Overall, the film struggles to offer a compelling cinematic experience.
