Nadaaniyan Review: A Starkid Launchpad Wrapped in Outdated Nostalgia
Netflix’s Nadaaniyan is yet another starkid launch that nobody really asked for, and unfortunately, it does little to justify its existence. With a wafer-thin plot, outdated teenage representation, and a total lack of chemistry between its leads, the film feels more like a first draft rushed into production than a thoughtfully crafted coming-of-age story. While Bollywood has been struggling to tell fresh, youthful stories that resonate with today’s audience, Nadaaniyan takes a step in the wrong direction by relying on outdated tropes, privileged storytelling, and a misplaced sense of nostalgia that fails to land.
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Khushi Kapoor and Ibrahim Ali Khan—A Lackluster Lead Pair
To put it bluntly, Nadaaniyan does no favors for its debutant leads. Khushi Kapoor, despite being positioned as the film’s leading lady, lacks the charm and screen presence needed to carry a film. Her performance exudes major side-character energy, making it difficult to buy into her as a compelling protagonist. While she tries to appear effortless, her delivery falls flat, leaving little emotional impact.
On the other hand, Ibrahim Ali Khan fares even worse—so much so that Khushi inadvertently gets an upper hand, not because she shines, but because his performance is just that underwhelming. His dialogue delivery is stiff, and his expressions lack the depth needed to make his character relatable. A romantic drama hinges on the chemistry between its leads, but here, there is absolutely none. The lack of spark makes their love story feel artificial, making it nearly impossible for the audience to invest in their relationship.
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I felt a little bad for Apoorva Makhija. She delivers a performance that is at least ten times stronger than Khushi’s, bringing some much-needed energy to the screen. However, given the current India’s Got Latent controversy, her Bollywood debut has been overshadowed. It’s unfortunate that she couldn’t fully celebrate this milestone.
Bollywood’s Outdated Understanding of Teenagers
One of Nadaaniyan’s biggest flaws is its depiction of teenage life. The film appears to borrow its idea of Gen-Z behavior straight out of early 2000s Hollywood chick flicks, making it feel painfully outdated. The characters speak and behave in a way that feels completely disconnected from reality, as if the scriptwriters have never actually interacted with teenagers in today’s world.
While there is a section of elite, privileged kids who live in a bubble, even they don’t behave in the exaggerated, cringeworthy manner that the film portrays. The dialogues are artificial, the conflicts seem forced, and the overall tone feels like a poor imitation of what Bollywood thinks teenage life looks like. It’s high time Hindi filmmakers do some good research before coming up with another teenage movie. In an era where shows and films like Euphoria, Sex Education, and even Bollywood’s own Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na have presented more authentic portrayals of young people, Nadaaniyan feels completely out of touch.
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In an attempt to cash in on nostalgia, the film throws in subtle Kuch Kuch Hota Hai references, but at this point, even nostalgia isn’t enough to salvage a film that lacks originality. The execution is so forced that it only reminds viewers of how much better the older films were in comparison.
Nadaaniyan – A Story Stuck in the Past
Had Nadaaniyan released in the early 2000s, it might have worked as a breezy, feel-good romance. But in today’s landscape, where storytelling has evolved, audiences expect more than just a glossy, privileged world with little depth. The film’s dialogues feel like they were pulled from a long-forgotten script that never got updated. The direction lacks freshness, and there’s an overwhelming sense that the filmmakers simply ran with the first draft instead of refining the screenplay.
Instead of creating moments that organically build up the romance, the film throws in forced montages and random emotional outbursts that fail to resonate. The climax, instead of being a satisfying resolution, feels unearned and predictable.
Final Verdict: Nadaaniyan is a Forgettable Launchpad
At its core, Nadaaniyan is nothing more than a launch vehicle for Ibrahim, lacking originality or emotional depth. With weak performances, an outdated script, and a complete failure to connect with modern audiences, it’s a film that feels stuck in a time warp. Even for those looking for a lighthearted nostalgia trip, this one is hard to sit through.
Netflix has been churning out several forgettable Bollywood films in recent years, and Nadaaniyan unfortunately joins that list. If you’re looking for a well-made coming-of-age romance, there are far better options out there.
Rating: ⭐⭐☆☆☆ (2/5)
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