rajkumar
Nadaaniyan review: Candy floss is sweet and pink. Bubble gum is similar in colour and taste, but chewy. There’s no logic to why we are suddenly discussing them. The same can be said about the two hours of yawn fest that is Nadaaniyan.
Debut vehicle of Saif Ali Khan and Amrita Singh’s son Ibrahim, this high school drama is a page from the same book as Karan Johar’s Student Of The Year. Imagine a film so bland, it makes you nostalgic for the silly, frothy fun of SOTY.
The plot
The story here revolves around rich Pia (Khushi Kapoor) dealing with personal issues even as she puts on a smile and faces the world. Arjun (Ibrahim Ali Khan) is focused on his career, and doesn’t want any ‘distraction’. After a misunderstanding with her friends, she convinces Arjun to act as her fake boyfriend in exchange for money. Of course feelings get in the way… there’s nothing more to the story.
Nadaaniyan is directed by Shauna Gautam, who has assisted before on films such as Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahaani. While the skill can be learnt, art cannot. KJo still gets flak for directing a potboiler college romance like SOTY, but making a film that holds your attention for three hours is no small task. One has to go wrong on colossal levels to make something which acts as a sleeping pill.
Not cool, not funny
The screenplay by Ishita Moitra, Riva Razdan Kapoor and Jehan Handa simply fails to take off. One waits for that glimmer of hope but it gets butchered the moment Ibrahim’s character, after a rather juvenile speech, lifts his T shirt and shows off his abs to win the post of his school’s debating society president. This tone-deaf portrayal of school life is neither cool, nor funny.
The same can be said about the rest of the story, which crams in another track involving Pia’s broken family- her parents (Suniel Shetty and Mahima Chaudhary) and patriarchal grandfather.
The world of Nadaaniyan exists in a bubble, isolated from the realities of life. One where coming from ‘Noida’… oops, ‘Greater Noida’ is something to be ashamed of. Everything small is projected as earth-shattering.
It’s astonishing that this is the same production house which bankrolled some decent romances until some years back. I Hate Luv Storys, Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania, and so many more from Dharma captured youthful romance so well in comparison. Nadaaniyan feels like a misstep.
The film’s visuals evoke the feel of a low-budget school play rather than a polished romance.
And now, the acting department. Ibrahim is faithful- not to the art but to that one constant confused/disgusted expression he has on his face. It’s his first film, okay. Then he should have prepared more. Who gives an exam without preparing? It’s a disappointing debut.
Khushi Kapoor fares slightly well, as she has a tougher story arc, overcoming a broken family. She handles emotional scenes well, but her dialogue delivery needs more nuance. Dia Mirza and Jugal Hansraj play Arjun’s parents, and they are decent. Suniel Shetty as Pia’s father has nothing much to do here, and feels wasted. Archana Puran Singh is back as Mrs Braganza Malhotra from Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. Shows how desperate filmmakers are today to evoke nostalgia for maximum eyeballs.
Performances
Nadaaniyan marks Ibrahim Ali Khan’s debut, and he looks amazing. His facial expressions and delivery of words, particularly in dramatic and emotional passages, require improvement nevertheless. He has the talent, his father’s beautiful looks, and a body to die for; all he needs is some decent craftsmanship to guide him.Khushi Kapoor, while still not exceptional, is better than in her last film and even surprises in moments, particularly in a strong confrontation scene with her on-screen father, Suniel Shetty.
Suniel Shetty, Mahima Chaudhry, Dia Mirza and Jugal Hansraj play the primary couple’s parents in Nadaaniyan, and they are quite honest in their portrayal. Archana Puran Singh, who plays the legendary character of Ms. Braganza in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998), is also featured in the film, bringing back fond memories.
As Pia’s friends, Apoorva Mukhija and Aaliyah Qureishi bring a pleasant energy to the screen, while Neel Deewan, Agasthya Shah, and Dev Agasteya hold their own in their respective roles. However, the real standout is Meezaan Jafri’s cameo, his presence adds a spark that the film could have used more of.
