Nadaaniyan review: Candy floss is characterized by its sweetness and pink hue, while bubble gum shares a similar color and flavor, albeit with a chewy texture. The rationale behind our sudden discussion of these treats is unclear. A parallel can be drawn to the two hours of tedium presented by Nadaaniyan.

This observation is made by someone who has previously enjoyed the action-packed films of Rohit Shetty and found humor in the mindless comedies of Salman Khan during their peak.

The debut film of Ibrahim, son of Saif Ali Khan and Amrita Singh, is a high school drama reminiscent of Karan Johar's Student Of The Year. It is a film so uninspired that it evokes a sense of nostalgia for the lighthearted and entertaining nature of SOTY.

The plot

The narrative centers on the affluent Pia (Khushi Kapoor), who grapples with personal challenges while maintaining a cheerful facade. Arjun (Ibrahim Ali Khan) is determined to concentrate on his career, dismissing any potential distractions. Following a misunderstanding with her peers, Pia persuades Arjun to pose as her fake boyfriend for a fee. Naturally, emotions complicate the situation, but the storyline offers little beyond this premise.

Nadaaniyan is helmed by Shauna Gautam, who has previously contributed to projects like Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahaani. While technical skills can be acquired, true artistry is innate. Karan Johar continues to face criticism for directing a formulaic college romance such as Student of the Year; however, crafting a film that captivates an audience for three hours is a significant challenge. It requires a remarkable level of failure to produce a film that induces sleep.

This is that film.

Not cool, not funny

The screenplay crafted by Ishita Moitra, Riva Razdan Kapoor, and Jehan Handa ultimately fails to engage the audience. Anticipation for a moment of inspiration dissipates when Ibrahim’s character, following a rather immature monologue, lifts his T-shirt to display his abs in a bid to secure the presidency of his school’s debating society. This tone-deaf representation of school life lacks both charm and humor.

The narrative suffers similarly as it introduces an additional subplot concerning Pia’s fractured family, featuring her parents (Suniel Shetty and Mahima Chaudhary) and her patriarchal grandfather.

Nadaaniyan exists in a self-contained world, detached from the complexities of real life. In this universe, hailing from ‘Noida’—or rather, ‘Greater Noida’—is portrayed as a source of shame. Minor issues are exaggerated to the point of absurdity.

It is surprising that this is the same production house that previously supported several commendable romantic films. Titles such as I Hate Luv Storys and Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania effectively captured the essence of youthful romance, making Nadaaniyan appear as a significant miscalculation.

The film’s visuals resemble those of a low-budget school production rather than a refined romantic feature.

Turning to the performances, Ibrahim remains consistent—not in his craft, but in maintaining a singular, perplexed expression throughout. While it is his debut film, one would expect more preparation. After all, who approaches an examination without adequate study? This resulted in a disappointing introduction to his acting career.

Khushi Kapoor performs somewhat better as she navigates a more challenging narrative involving her broken family. She effectively conveys emotional moments, though her delivery of dialogue could benefit from greater subtlety. Dia Mirza and Jugal Hansraj portray Arjun’s parents, while Suniel Shetty, as Pia’s father, is underutilized and feels like a missed opportunity. Archana Puran Singh reprises her role as Mrs. Braganza Malhotra from Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, highlighting the filmmakers' reliance on nostalgia to attract viewers.

The music composed by Sachin-Jigar is largely forgettable, with the exception of the track "Ishq Mein."

Overall, the best part about Naadaniyan is that it’s not a big screen release. Another good thing is that it ends. I couldn’t stand to see romances, once a forte of Bollywood, being reduced to this mess. Time to re-release more good-old romantic films like Sanam Teri Kasam instead?

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