๐ฌ Naadaniyaan Review: Star Kids Deliver a Lackluster Debut in a Compelling Storyline That Fails to Shine โจ
Rating: โญโญโโโ
Director: Shauna Gautam
Genre: Romance, Comedy, Drama
Streaming on: Netflix
๐ Storyline: A Missed Opportunity for Something Extraordinary
Naadaniyaan centers around a privileged South Delhi schoolgirl, Meera (Khushi Kapoor), who is determined to maintain her high-status reputation among her peers. To avoid the embarrassment of being single, she hires a middle-class student, Vikram (Ibrahim Ali Khan), to play the role of her boyfriend. What begins as a harmless ruse soon spirals into a complicated web of emotions. As they spend more time together, Meera and Vikramโs fake relationship transforms into something real, but the question remains: will they let their true feelings come to the surface or continue to maintain the charade for the sake of appearances?
This concept of mistaken identities and evolving emotions is a fresh take on rom-coms, one that couldโve been more than just another predictable story. With additional depth and attention to character development, Naadaniyaan could have become an extraordinary piece of storytelling. Unfortunately, the film falters under the weight of underwhelming performances, particularly from the lead actors.
๐ญ Performances: The Starkid Struggle
๐ฅ Ibrahim Ali Khan as Vikram
While Naadaniyaan marks Ibrahim Ali Khan’s acting debut, itโs evident that his acting skills havenโt fully developed to captivate the big screen. His portrayal of Vikram, a boy hired to pose as Meeraโs boyfriend, lacks the necessary depth. Thereโs a certain charm missing in his performance, and the natural ease with which he should portray emotions often feels forced. Itโs clear that Ibrahimโs role is built more on his star status than his ability to carry the weight of a feature film.
๐ฅ Khushi Kapoor as Meera
Khushi Kapoor, much like her co-star, struggles to bring her character to life. As Meera, the seemingly perfect South Delhi girl, Kapoorโs performance feels disconnected from the emotional core of her character. Her expressions appear robotic, and while she certainly has the appearance of a modern-day heroine, her acting falls flat. The lack of authenticity makes it hard for the audience to root for Meeraโs journey from pretense to love.
๐ Supporting Cast: The Real Stars of the Film
While the main leads fall short, the supporting cast does a much better job of carrying the narrative. Suniel Shetty, Mahima Chaudhry, and Dia Mirza bring a certain gravitas to the film thatโs sorely needed in the more emotional scenes. Their experience shines through, adding authenticity and depth to the film that the leads fail to deliver. They are the true heart of the movie, rescuing it from becoming an entire trainwreck.
๐ฅ Direction and Execution: A Missed Chance for a Memorable Rom-Com
Director Shauna Gautam has a promising concept at hand, but the execution doesnโt live up to its potential. The screenplay is predictable, and the film drags in several places, making it difficult to engage with the charactersโ emotional arcs. The lack of chemistry between the leads doesnโt help, leaving the romantic elements feeling hollow.
While Gautam attempts to bring a contemporary feel to the film, itโs clear that more attention to detail was needed in developing the charactersโ motivations and relationships. The film could have been something extraordinary, but it gets lost in its attempt to cater to the star power rather than focusing on strong storytelling and character-driven moments.
๐ Cinematography and Music: The Few Bright Spots
The film does manage to shine in its visual appeal. The cinematography does a decent job of capturing the vibrant and upscale world of South Delhi, adding a layer of glamour that suits the story. The music, composed by Sachin-Jigar, has a few catchy tunes that add to the feel-good vibe of the film, even if they donโt linger long after the credits roll.
๐ญ Final Verdict: Potential Wasted on Poor Execution
Naadaniyaan had the foundation of an entertaining rom-com that could have stood out among the typical Bollywood fare. The story, rooted in a playful yet emotional exploration of love and identity, held the potential to be something extraordinary. However, the performances of the star kidsโwho seem to have received these roles more for their family connections than acting prowessโdo not do justice to the script.
While the supporting cast helps anchor the film, the leadsโ lack of skill makes it difficult to fully invest in their journey. The lack of depth in both the script and the performances leaves the film unable to generate enough appeal to bring audiences to theaters. An OTT release was the safer choice here, as curious viewers may watch out of intrigue over Ibrahimโs debut, but it’s unlikely to make a significant impact.
In the future, both Ibrahim and Khushi could evolve into fine actors, but for now, their lack of capability to handle such a large-scale project is evident. They need much more polish to meet the expectations that come with the starkid legacy. As of now, the “parental aura” is missing, and the comparative audience will undoubtedly call them out. Theyโll have to work hard to rise above the weight of their lineage and deliver performances that can withstand scrutiny.
Rating: โญโญโโโ
Naadaniyaan is a case of “could have been” rather than “what it is.” Watch it for the decent storyline and the stronger performances from the supporting cast, but don’t expect a breakout film from its lead actors just yet.
Available on Netflix โ If youโre curious about Ibrahim’s debut or enjoy watching romantic comedies, give it a try, but donโt expect to be wowed.
๐ Stay tuned to Bollywoodpollywood Lifezย for more updates and reviews.
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