Nadaaniyan (2025) Movie Review – Where to Watch Online
“Nadaaniyan” (2025) is a Netflix original film directed by Shauna Gautam and written by Riva Razdan Kapoor, Ishita Moitra, and Jehan Handa. The movie follows the story of a privileged Delhi socialite who hires a middle-class student to pose as her boyfriend to maintain her social status. What starts as a facade soon takes an emotional turn as genuine feelings develop.
Despite the film’s promising premise, Nadaaniyan has received mixed to negative feedback from audiences and critics alike. While it boasts a glossy production and stylish visuals, the movie struggles to deliver an engaging narrative. With debutant Ibrahim Ali Khan and Khushi Kapoor in lead roles, the film had the potential to bring a fresh take on modern Indian teen culture. However, it ends up feeling like a superficial imitation of American high school rom-coms, failing to capture the nuances of Indian youth dynamics.
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A Glamorous but Hollow Attempt at a Rom-Com
The film’s biggest drawback is its lack of authenticity. While it aims to depict the lives of elite Delhi teens, it instead comes across as an over-the-top caricature of high society. Viewers have criticized the unnatural dialogues, unrealistic settings, and excessive reliance on clichés borrowed from Western teen films. The portrayal of high school life, particularly the elite “Falcon High,” feels more like a glossy Instagram reel than a real-world scenario.
Many have pointed out the film’s poor dubbing, which significantly affects the performances. Ibrahim Ali Khan’s debut, unfortunately, does not leave a lasting impact, as his stiff screen presence and awkward dialogue delivery fail to bring depth to his character. Meanwhile, Khushi Kapoor, in her third film, shows some improvement but is still struggling with emotive acting.
Writing and Direction: A Case of Missed Potential
The script, penned by three writers, had the opportunity to explore themes of class disparity, self-identity, and personal growth. Instead, it takes a predictable and surface-level approach, offering nothing new to the genre. The dialogues feel forced, and the humor often falls flat. Scenes that should have been emotionally resonant come across as hollow due to weak writing and uninspired direction.
Director Shauna Gautam’s attempt at creating a visually appealing film is evident, but it lacks substance. While the cinematography and production design are polished, the storytelling leaves much to be desired. The movie feels stretched, with scenes that add little to character development or plot progression.
Performance Breakdown: Can the Leads Carry the Film?
- Ibrahim Ali Khan: Despite his charming looks, Ibrahim’s debut performance has been widely criticized for lacking depth. His expressions often appear wooden, and his dialogue delivery is inconsistent. Many viewers noted that his performance is overshadowed by supporting actors.
- Khushi Kapoor: While she shows glimpses of improvement compared to her past roles, Khushi’s acting still lacks natural flow. Her emotional scenes, particularly those requiring depth, often feel exaggerated or unconvincing.
- Supporting Cast: The veteran actors, including Mahima Chaudhary and Riya Sen, bring much-needed stability to the film. However, their limited screen time is not enough to save the overall weak execution.
Music and Cinematography
One of the biggest disappointments of Nadaaniyan is its soundtrack. Unlike iconic Bollywood rom-coms that thrive on memorable songs, this film lacks any standout musical moments. The background score is forgettable, failing to enhance key emotional beats.
Visually, the film is stunning, with well-lit frames and carefully curated aesthetics. However, the polished look does little to compensate for the weak storytelling. The overuse of grandiose sets and artificial settings makes the film feel detached from reality.
Where to Watch Nadaaniyan Online?
Since Nadaaniyan is a Netflix original, it is exclusively available for streaming on Netflix. As of now, the movie is not available for rent or purchase on other platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, or Google Play Movies. If you’re curious about the film despite the mixed reviews, you can stream it on Netflix with a subscription.
Final Verdict: A Forgettable Rom-Com
Nadaaniyan fails to live up to its potential, offering a shallow and unconvincing narrative instead of an engaging rom-com experience. While the film had all the ingredients for success—an elite setting, young star power, and a Netflix release—it ultimately falls flat due to weak storytelling, poor character development, and a lack of originality.
For fans of Bollywood teen dramas, this film might offer a one-time watch. However, if you’re looking for a meaningful or well-executed rom-com, it’s best to revisit classics like Student of the Year or Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na.
Have you watched Nadaaniyan? Share your thoughts in the comments below! If you’re looking for better rom-coms, check out our curated list of top Bollywood romantic comedies available on Netflix.
