Ibrahim Ali Khan
Arjun Mehta
Overview
A privileged Delhi socialite hires a middle-class student to pose as her boyfriend to maintain her social status. Their pretense becomes complicated when genuine feelings develop between them.
Cast
12 people
Reviews
3 min readThe Glossy Mirage of Nadaaniyan
I kept waiting for the moment when Nadaaniyan would stop winking at me and actually say something. It never came. Instead, what we get is a film so enamored with its own sheen that it mistakes surface for substance—a Pinterest board masquerading as a story.
Shauna Gautam’s directorial debut arrives draped in the familiar trappings of a Dharma Productions rom-com: elite Delhi schools, designer outfits, and a premise that’s been done to death (wealthy socialite hires a middle-class boy to pose as her boyfriend, feelings ensue). The problem isn’t the familiarity—it’s that the film doesn’t seem to realize how tired these tropes are. Or worse, it does realize and doesn’t care, banking on the assumption that gloss alone can carry the day.
The script, widely criticized as "wafer-thin" and "AI-generated," leans heavily on meta-commentary about privilege and Gen-Z lingo, but it’s all so clumsily executed that it feels less like satire and more like a parody of itself. Take the debate team showdown, a scene so tone-deaf it’s hard to believe it made it past a table read. The male lead, Arjun (Ibrahim Ali Khan), flashes his abs to win an argument, and the film treats this as a clever twist rather than the unintentional self-parody it is.
It’s the kind of moment that makes you wonder if the filmmakers are in on the joke or if they genuinely think this is how debates work.
Audience Opinions
Audience 5.9/10
"A shallow rom-com with nepo-baby leads that struggles to rise above its privileged premise."
The film’s premise of a wealthy socialite hiring a middle-class student to pose as her boyfriend offers a lighthearted setup, but viewers find the execution lacking in depth and originality. The chemistry between the leads is often cited as a highlight, though some feel it isn’t enough to carry the predictable plot. latestnetflix.com's read is that Many describe the humor as forced and the characters as underdeveloped, leaving the movie feeling more like a showcase of entitlement than a compelling story.
What viewers praise
- Lighthearted premise The setup of a fake relationship turning real provides an easy-to-follow, breezy plot.
- Lead chemistry Ibrahim Ali Khan and Khushi Kapoor’s on-screen dynamic is noted as the film’s strongest asset.
- Stylish visuals The Delhi high-society backdrop is visually appealing and adds a glossy sheen to the film.
Common complaints
- Shallow characters Viewers criticize the lack of depth in the leads and supporting cast, making it hard to invest in their arcs.
- Predictable plot The story follows well-worn rom-com tropes without adding anything fresh or surprising.
- Forced humor The comedic moments often fall flat, with some viewers calling the jokes cringe-worthy.
- Privilege-heavy The film’s focus on wealth and entitlement feels tone-deaf and alienates some audiences.
Recommended for
Casual rom-com fans Khushi Kapoor admirers Light escapism seekers
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsInside Nadaaniyan: Shauna Gautam’s Directorial Debut and the Fake-Dating Drama That’s Dividing Critics
Shauna Gautam’s Nadaaniyan (2025) is making waves—not just for its star-studded cast but for its polarizing take on teen romance. The film, Gautam’s first as a director, arrives under the banner of Dharmatic Entertainment, the digital arm of Karan Johar’s production house, signaling big expectations for a story that blends privilege, pretense, and puppy love 
. latestnetflix.com's take is that but with early reviews calling it a "vanity project" and others praising its fresh energy, Nadaaniyan is already a lightning rod for debate.
A Fake-Dating Plot with Real Stakes
At its core, Nadaaniyan follows Pia (Khushi Kapoor), a privileged Delhi socialite who hires Arjun (Ibrahim Ali Khan), a middle-class student, to pose as her boyfriend. The ruse? To maintain her elite social status. But as the trope demands, their fake relationship spirals into genuine feelings—though critics are divided on whether the chemistry lands 
. The IMDb snippet teases complications when "genuine feelings" emerge, but The Hollywood Reporter India slams the execution, calling Pia "annoying" and both leads "at sea" in their roles .
The film’s premise isn’t groundbreaking—fake-dating romances are a dime a dozen—but Gautam’s directorial debut hinges on whether she can elevate the formula with wit and authenticity. Early buzz suggests the jury’s still out.
A Star-Studded Debut for Gautam and Khan
Shauna Gautam’s leap from behind-the-scenes roles to directing is one of Nadaaniyan’s biggest talking points. The film marks her directorial debut, and she’s working with a cast that blends Bollywood veterans and fresh faces . Ibrahim Ali Khan, son of Saif Ali Khan and Amrita Singh, headlines the project in what appears to be his first major lead role. His pairing with Khushi Kapoor, daughter of Sridevi and Boney Kapoor, has fueled gossip columns for months, though reviews suggest their on-screen dynamic hasn’t quite clicked .
Supporting the young leads are seasoned actors like Suniel Shetty, Mahima Chaudhry, and Dia Mirza, adding gravitas to what’s billed as a "teen romantic comedy" . Jugal Hansraj, Apoorva Mukhija, and newcomers Aaliyah Qureishi, Agastya Shah, and Dev Agasteya round out the ensemble, though their roles remain largely under the radar in early coverage.
Dharmatic’s Gamble on a New Voice
Produced by Karan Johar, Apoorva Mehta, and Somen Mishra, Nadaaniyan is a test case for Dharmatic Entertainment’s strategy of backing emerging talent . Johar’s production house has a history of launching directors (think Zoya Akhtar, Karan Malhotra), and Gautam’s film could be the next in that lineage—if it resonates with audiences.
But the early critical response isn’t kind. The Hollywood Reporter India’s review questions the film’s emotional core, asking, "Where is the love?" and dismissing the leads’ performances as lost in a glossy, hollow package . Meanwhile, Times of India’s coverage focuses on the film’s technical details—release date, trailer, and cast—without diving into substance, leaving its quality an open question .
**What’s Next for Nadaaniyan?**
With the film’s release looming, the biggest mystery is whether Nadaaniyan can overcome its shaky critical start. The fake-dating trope is a tough sell if the leads lack chemistry, and Gautam’s inexperience as a director adds another layer of risk. Still, Johar’s involvement suggests confidence in the project, and the cast’s star power could draw curious audiences.
For now, Nadaaniyan remains a film with potential—but one that’s already facing an uphill battle to win over skeptics.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.