Young Bollywood actors Ibrahim Ali Khan and Khushi Kapoor's much-anticipated performance in Nadaaniyan has received largely negative reviews, with the lead actors facing severe trolling on social media. Critics and audiences alike have panned the film, with many questioning the decision to cast unprepared newcomers in leading roles. Amid this backlash, filmmaker Hansal Mehta has stepped in, calling the criticism 'harsh' while pointing fingers at the filmmakers for setting them up for failure.
In an interview with ETimes, Mehta expressed concern over the intensity of the negative comments. He said, "The kind of comments that people are passing are in terrible taste. I’m sure it must be traumatising for the young people." However, while he sympathised with Ibrahim and Khushi, he also stated that the burden of responsibility lies with the industry decision-makers who opt for star kids without ensuring they are fully prepared.
The director reminded people that even the parents of today's star kids had "awkward beginnings," but the scrutiny was less intense due to the absence of social media.
He further criticised the industry’s lack of consideration in launching debutants. "You cannot just assume that somebody will be good because they come from a certain lineage. So, in that sense, it is even unfair to launch them by giving them a false sense of entitlement. That entitlement should come from, I think, preparedness," he said.
Mehta also pointed out how advisors and industry insiders often misguide young actors into making conventional choices rather than focusing on meaningful scripts.
Recalling his own experience, he shared, "I had approached one of these children for a film. And it was a slightly unusual film for a newcomer. But the people around them, their advisors, felt that he/she should be doing something conventional, that he should be making a high-speed entry, he should have all these ‘hit’ songs, he should get the same ‘mounting’ that, say, Kumar Gaurav, Sunny Deol, Hrithik Roshan, or Tiger Shroff got. The problem is that they have advisors who are not living in the times that we are in."
Amid the backlash Ibrahim and Khushi are receiving, Mehta urged young actors to shift their focus toward proving their mettle rather than chasing big banners. He concluded, "My only plea to them is to keep their head down, focus on their work. The moment they perform well in something, no matter how well or badly it does at the box office, they will be respected. Their first target should be to get respect with their work."
About Nadaaniyan
While the film marks Ibrahim's acting debut, Khushi has starred in two films earlier -- The Archies and Loveyapa. Nadaaniyan, directed by Shauna Gautam, is a young adult romantic drama that captures the magic, madness and innocence of first love. Khushi is seen as Pia, a bold and spirited girl from South Delhi.
On the other hand, Ibrahim plays the role of Arjun, a determined middle-class boy from Noida.
The film also stars Archana Puran Singh, Meezaan Jafri, Dia Mirza, Jugal Hansraj, Suniel Shetty and Mahima Chaudry.
