Nadaaniyan has undoubtedly been one of the most-awaited straight to OTT movie releases this year. What with Ibrahim Ali Khan making his acting debut!? Khushi Kapoor, who made her OTT debut last year with The Archies and big screen debut in 2025 with Loveyapa, stars opposite him. The audiences’ obsession with star kids ensured great buzz around the film that promises to be a love story aimed at the youth. Naadaniyan is streaming on Netflix and it is directed by Shauna Gautam and produced by Karan Johar, Apoorva Mehta and Somen Mishra. But does it have the Dharma magic when it comes to love stories? Check out our Nadaaniyan review to find out.
Nadaaniyan movie review
Cast: Khushi Kapoor, Ibrahim Ali Khan, Archana Puran Singh, Suneil Shetty, Dia Mirza, Jugal Hansraj, Mahima Chaudhry, Meezan Jafri (cameo), Riya Sen (cameo)
Director: Shauna Gautam
Release Date: February 7 on Netflix
What’s Nadaaniyan all about?
Nadaaniyan revolves around Piya Jaisingh (Khushi Kapoor), a wealthy and confident college student, and Arjun Mehta (Ibrahim Ali Khan), a middle-class boy hired to pose as her boyfriend. What starts as a facade for social media and public appearances soon blossoms into a genuine connection, exploring themes of love, identity, and self-discovery. The film beautifully portrays the ups and downs of young love, with a mix of humor, drama, and heartfelt moments.
What’s hot about Nadaaniyan?
Nadaaniyan promised to be a teen romance and it delivers on that promise. The film is a heartwarming romantic drama that captures the essence of Gen-Z relationships. The narrative is laced with relatable themes, addressing modern-day issues faced by Gen-Z, such as social media pressures and self-expression, making it highly relatable to its target audience. But, ‘pyaar toh pyaar hota hai’ so even if you aren’t a Gen Z, the film has ample that’ll appeal to you. I, as a millennial, found moments that tug at my heartstrings.
By pairing Khushi Kapoor and Ibrahim Ali Khan, the film brings in a freshness. The duo looks great together and their on-screen chemistry feels authentic and relatable. This is Khushi’s third outing and she is getting better with each project that she does. There is an ease with which she plays her character and is especially good in emotional scenes, something that didn’t go unnoticed in Loveyapa too. Khushi has a unique likeability that can appeal to the young audience.
The film marks Ibrahim Ali Khan’s debut but the young actor plays his part with confidence and great elan. I remember the time his father Saif Ali Khan made his debut and critics weren’t easy on him. He was mocked for looking ‘a little girly’ and for his voice which was neither deep nor gruff. But fortunately for Ibrahim, he has a face, a multi-pack body and voice to go with his charming personality. A lot of actors have been saying that this young generation, that’s entering the industry, are better prepared and confident and this stands absolutely true in Ibrahim’s case. HIs performance is natural, making his character endearing.
Like with all Dharma movies, Nadaaniyan scores high on its visual appeal. The vibrant college setting and the overall tone of the film enhances the storytelling. The soundtrack is catchy and complements the narrative perfectly, with the title track Nadaaniyan being a standout. Galatfehmi and Ishq Mein will also stay with you with one stirring up some emotions and the other getting you in a foot-tapping mode.
While the film highly relies on the performances of the two young lead stars, seasoned actors like Suniel Shetty, Dia Mirza, Mahima Chaudhry and Jugal Hansraj add depth to the story with their compelling performances as they highlight family dynamics, relationship complexities and dole out some subtle lessons in modern day parenting.
Watch Nadaaniyan Trailer here:
What’s not?
While the film accurately captures the lingo and phrases popular with Gen Z, I found the dialogues somewhat disappointing. The senior actors—Jugal, Suniel, Dia, and Mahima—deliver lines that provoke thought about love, relationships, and life. However, the dialogues for the lead stars, Khushi and Ibrahim, lack depth. Even the other characters, who play significant roles in Piya and Arjun’s world, have dialogues that fail to make an impact. It made me wonder, “Is this really how Gen Z communicates nowadays?” Additionally, it would have been nice to see more of Meezan and Riya. Their cameos are so brief that they hardly required any actors at all.
Verdict
Dharma does it again! With Nadaaniyan, it brings a fresh perspective to the romantic comedy genre. With its charming leads, relatable themes, and visually appealing presentation, it’s a film that will resonate with young audiences. Despite minor flaws, it leaves you with a smile and heart filled with love. Definitely worth streaming on Netflix.
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