Ibrahim Ali Khan, son of Bollywood superstar Saif Ali Khan, has recently addressed the widespread criticism surrounding his debut film, Nadaaniyan, admitting that it was indeed a "really bad film." The movie, which premiered on Netflix on March 7, 2025, and also stars Khushi Kapoor, has been panned by critics and audiences alike. Khan's candid admission comes amidst a barrage of negative reviews and relentless online trolling directed at the film and its stars.
Nadaaniyan, directed by Shauna Gautam and produced by Karan Johar's Dharma Productions, was intended to be a light-hearted romantic comedy. However, it was received poorly, with many calling it a "failure". The film explores the relationship between Pia (Khushi Kapoor), a privileged young woman, and Arjun (Ibrahim Ali Khan), an ambitious student who agrees to pose as her boyfriend in exchange for money. Veteran actors such as Suniel Shetty, Dia Mirza, Mahima Chaudhry, and Jugal Hansraj also featured in the film but were unable to salvage the movie from its weak script and perceived poor performances.
The criticism of Nadaaniyan has been widespread and scathing. Many viewers have criticized the film's weak screenplay, cringe-worthy dialogues, and the lead actors' performances. Some have gone so far as to say that The Archies, another recent Bollywood film featuring star kids, "felt like Sholay compared to this disaster!". One user commented that watching the film felt like a "masterclass in how not to act". Another described the film as having "no plot, no storyline, no actings". Several reviews pointed out the poor dubbing quality, particularly Ibrahim Ali Khan's, with some joking that it sounded AI-generated.
Adding insult to injury, many viewers have singled out Orry, a social media personality who made a cameo appearance in the film, as the "best actor" in Nadaaniyan. This has further fueled the online mockery and trolling directed at Khan and Kapoor.
Ibrahim Ali Khan's acknowledgment of the film's shortcomings is a rare instance of a Bollywood debutant openly admitting to a project's failure. In a recent interview, Khan stated that while he had high hopes for the film, he understood and agreed with much of the criticism. He admitted that the script was weak, and his performance was not up to par. "It was a learning experience," he said, "and I hope to do better in my future projects." He also addressed the non-stop trolling, stating that while it was initially difficult to deal with, he has learned to take it in his stride and focus on improving his craft.
The failure of Nadaaniyan has sparked a debate about nepotism in Bollywood and the pressure on star kids to deliver successful performances. While some viewers appreciated the attempt to explore new themes and relationships, most criticized the film's flaws, especially the pacing, lackluster character development, and the acting from the star kids.
