If you’re a rom movie lover and have missed Nadaaniyan, it’s time to add it to your watchlist. This 2025 Hindi-language teen romantic comedy may not be a critical darling, but it offers an enjoyable blend of romance, drama, and personal growth. Set against the backdrop of urban Delhi, Nadaaniyan explores the world of privileged teens, emotional families, and complicated relationships. Directed by first-time filmmaker Shauna Gautam and produced under Karan Johar’s Dharmatic Entertainment, the film is a light-hearted yet emotional story that may surprise you with its depth.
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Nadaaniyan (which translates to "Innocence") is a Netflix original film released on March 7, 2025. The movie marks the acting debut of Ibrahim Ali Khan and Khushi Kapoor, both of whom come from prominent Bollywood families. Alongside them, seasoned actors like Mahima Chaudhry, Suniel Shetty, Dia Mirza, and Jugal Hansraj take on supporting roles. While the film didn’t win much praise from critics and faced social media criticism due to the leads’ performances, it still carries a certain charm that makes it an easy and enjoyable watch.
The film’s strength lies in its youthful storytelling, modern themes, and emotional undertone. It doesn’t try to be something grand, but instead presents a slice of teenage life, love, and confusion in a relatable way. If you enjoy light romances with an emotional core, this one might just work for you.
The story centers around Pia Jaisingh, a teenage girl from a wealthy and dysfunctional family in South Delhi. Her father, Rajat Jaisingh, is openly sexist and emotionally unavailable, carrying on an affair with a younger woman named Anahita. Pia’s mother, Neelu, is a socialite who is emotionally exhausted but still trying to hold the family together.
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Pia studies at Falcon High School, a prestigious school for the elite. During a bonfire event, she has a fallout with her best friend Sahira, who suspects Pia is secretly seeing a boy named Ayan. To prove otherwise, Pia tells everyone she already has a boyfriend. Caught in her own lie, she finds Arjun Mehta, a hardworking, middle-class student from Greater Noida, and convinces him to be her fake boyfriend, for 25,000 per week.
As the two-start faking a relationship, they begin spending real time together and slowly develop feelings for each other. Their chemistry becomes genuine, and Pia’s friends begin to believe her story. The film takes a turn when Pia’s father’s affair comes to light, and it’s revealed that Anahita is pregnant. Devastated, Pia and her mother leave home and move in with her relatives, losing contact with Arjun in the process.
Meanwhile, Arjun prepares for an international debate competition, something Pia was supposed to attend with him. When she doesn’t show up, Arjun assumes Pia was never serious about him or their shared interests. A misunderstanding grows deeper when a photo surfaces online showing Pia with another man, Rudra, leading Arjun to feel betrayed.
Pia tries to reach out to Arjun to explain, but he lashes out and publicly reveals their fake relationship deal, humiliating her in front of the school. Later, Arjun finds out from his teacher, Mrs. Braganza, that he’s received a scholarship to study in London. Surprisingly, Pia had rewritten and submitted his application after he had angrily withdrawn it. Arjun realizes her true intentions and decides to make amends.
In a heartfelt moment during another bonfire night, Arjun publicly apologizes to Pia and proposes to her. She accepts. The film ends with Arjun leaving for London and Pia staying back in India to pursue law, a subject Arjun was once interested in.
- Ibrahim Ali Khan as Arjun Mehta
- Khushi Kapoor as Pia Jaisingh
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Nadaaniyan stands out for its relatable storyline and emotional maturity. The movie does a great job capturing teenage confusion, the desire to be seen and loved, and the challenges of navigating personal relationships. Even though the premise is familiar, it is told with a fresh energy that keeps viewers engaged.
The visual presentation of the film is one of its biggest strengths. The cinematography brings Delhi to life, highlighting the contrast between the luxurious world of South Delhi and the more grounded, modest environment of Greater Noida. The background score enhances key moments and gives emotional weight to certain scenes.
Another plus is the screenplay’s blend of humor and drama. The dialogues are modern and believable, reflecting the way today’s teenagers actually speak and think. Despite being a debut effort, director Shauna Gautam manages to balance the film’s emotional layers without making it overly sentimental. Supporting actors like Mahima Chaudhry and Suniel Shetty bring depth and maturity to the narrative.
While the film is entertaining, it isn’t without flaws. The most talked-about issue has been the performance of the lead pair. Both Ibrahim Ali Khan and Khushi Kapoor show some promise, but their lack of experience is obvious in emotionally demanding scenes. Their chemistry, while present in moments, often feels forced or underdeveloped.
The plot, though engaging, doesn’t offer much in terms of originality. Many elements, fake relationships turning real, misunderstandings, and dramatic reunions, have been seen in other teen romances. Also, some viewers may feel the film focuses too much on the lavish lifestyle of the characters, making it hard to relate to certain parts of the story.
Additionally, social media reactions were harsh, mostly due to the nepotism angle, with both leads being star kids. While that shouldn’t determine the film’s merit alone, it did affect public perception.
Overall, Nadaaniyan is a warm, relatable, and visually appealing film that offers more than what critics give it credit for. It might not be the most polished movie out there, but it has heart and captures the spirit of youthful confusion and love quite well. With some strong emotional moments and a feel-good vibe, it’s an enjoyable watch for a cozy weekend.
If you go in with the right expectations, not looking for a cinematic masterpiece but a charming coming-of-age drama, you’ll likely come out smiling.
