Common Sense Media Review
By Sakhi Thirani
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Bland Bollywood high-school romcom with occasional language.
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Why Age 13+?
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Nadaaniyan
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In NADAANIYAN, ultra-rich Pia (Khushi Kapoor) hires Arjun (Ibrahim Ali Khan) to be her pretend boyfriend and impress her friends. But when real feelings come knocking, will their act turn into something more?
Is It Any Good?
Shauna Gautam's directorial debut stumbles as a formulaic romantic comedy. Nadaaniyan suffers from weak performances and underdeveloped writing that fails to engage viewers. The characters remain one-dimensional throughout, portrayed as privileged individuals with little depth or growth. The film has faced criticism for its casting too. Co-lead Arjun is played by Khan, the son of veteran Bollywood actors Saif Ali Khan and Amrita Singh, raising questions of nepotism in Bollywood. If Khan had turned out a stellar performance then perhaps these accusations could have been dismissed. But he and his co-star Kapoor lack chemistry, while the predictable plot offers few surprises or genuine moments of humor. Despite occasional attempts at charm, the film ultimately delivers a tedious viewing experience that feels longer than its runtime.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how romance was portrayed in Nadaaniyan. How did Pia and Arjun's expectations about relationships change throughout the story? How do the romantic relationships you see in movies compare to real-life relationships? Parents, talk to your teens about your own values regarding sex and relationships.
How did the various characters handle truth and deception? What were the consequences of their choices? Why is honesty important in your own relationships and friendships?
Talk about some of the language used. Did it seem necessary, or excessive? What did it contribute to the movie?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : March 7, 2025
- Cast : Khushi Kapoor , Ibrahim Ali Khan , Mahima Chaudhry
- Director : Shauna Gautam
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Director(s) , Indian/South Asian Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Writer(s) , Indian/South Asian Movie Writer(s)
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Romance
- Topics : School ( High School ) , Arts ( Music and Sing-Along )
- Run time : 119 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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