Ibrahim-Khushi's Nadaaniyan slammed as ‘unbearable,' internet calls It ‘nepotism gone wrong’

Netflix’s latest release Nadaaniyan, starring debutants Ibrahim Ali Khan and Khushi Kapoor, has failed to impress audiences and critics alike. Directed by Shauna Gautam and produced by Karan Johar’s Dharmatic Entertainment, the film was expected to be a fresh Bollywood rom-com, but early reviews have labeled it disastrous.

Viewers took to social media to express their disappointment, criticizing the film’s weak storyline, poor dialogues, and lackluster performances. One X (formerly Twitter) user wrote, “Nadaaniyan feels like it was written by a 12-year-old Wattpad user”, highlighting the lack of originality in the film’s plot. Another tweet mocked Khushi Kapoor’s performance, saying, “The bar was set low, but somehow she still managed to disappoint.”

Despite its lavish sets and high production value, critics argue that Nadaaniyan offers nothing new. India Today’s review gave the film a 1.5-star rating, calling it “unsalvageable” and comparing it to a failed attempt at recreating ‘Student of the Year’. The review further stated, “Whoever thought they could make a re-packaged ‘SOTY’ fly again didn’t know there’s a limit to testing audience patience.”

Fans who had hoped for a Bollywood rom-com revival were left frustrated. One X user posted, “Just finished Nadaaniyan… Bollywood romcoms, we are soooo NOT BACK.” Many pointed out that the film reflects the deeper issues in contemporary Hindi cinema, relying on star kids and glossy visuals rather than a strong script or compelling performances.

The film also ignited the nepotism debate, with many accusing Bollywood of continuing to push star kids despite their lack of acting prowess. Some social media users mocked Karan Johar for launching another batch of industry insiders, questioning whether the film would have even been made if the lead actors weren’t from film families.

While the film’s Netflix release may help it gain initial viewership, it seems unlikely to achieve long-term success given the overwhelmingly negative reception. With viewers calling it ‘unbearable’ and critics deeming it ‘trash cinema,’ Nadaaniyan may go down as one of the biggest disappointments of 2025’s Bollywood lineup.