Nadaaniyan ending explained: Has Khushi Kapoor-Ibrahim Ali Khan's rom-com climax gone the Premalu way?

In her directorial debut, Shauna Gautam stars Khushi Kapoor and Ibrahim Ali Khan in the unimaginative Nadaaniyan, which is based on a Dharma romance comedy. The film's use of Gen Z jargon and all the normal YA romance tropes didn't save it from failure. In the Karan Johar-produced film, we see a rich student at a prestigious university fall in love with a scholarship recipient. We also noted in our review how they are social outcasts and how much criticism they receive for being too similar to Alia Bhatt and Sidharth Malhotra in Student of the Year.

Nadaaniyan explores love, social expectations, and personal development in its so-called romantic comedy style. Similar to the 2024 Malayalam film Premalu, the film's ending provides a complex view of the heroes' journeys.

ALSO READ: Most-awaited Hindi OTT releases in March 2025 on Netflix, Prime Video, JioHotstar, Sony LIV 

Ending of Nadaaniyan Explained

During the course of Nadaaniyan, Khushi Kapoor plays the role of Pia Jaisingh, a rich Falcon High School student who recruits Ibrahim Ali Khan, a scholarship student, to pretend to be her lover. Through this arrangement, she is repairing her connections with Sahira and Rhea, who had grown distant due to an Ayaan-related mistake. Acquired sentiments grow between Pia and Arjun as they traverse this mask.

The scene unfolds during Pia's birthday celebration, revealing their scheme and sparking arguments within the family. Conflict arises when Mahima Chaudhry, Pia's mother, disapproves of Arjun's middle-class background. At the same time, Pia learns about her father's (Suniel Shetty) adultery and upcoming divorce from her mother, Neelu, in subsequent events. This news dashes Pia's hopes of reconciling with her family.

Afterwards, a huge scandal ensues when Arjun exposes their false connection and insults Pia's acquaintances after misinterpreting her interactions with her family-approved suitor Rudra (Meezaan). Arjun asks for forgiveness after realising his error. At the end of the film, we see Arjun and Pia at the airport, both of them facing an unknown future. Arjun is going to study law in the UK, while Pia stays in India to take care of her mum and finish her school. Their dedication to sustaining a long-distance relationship highlights their individual development and the genuineness of their connection.

Similarities There are several similarities between Nadaaniyan and the 2024 Malayalam film Premalu, which stars Naslen K. Gafoor and Mamitha Baiju and has similar themes and plot points. In both films, the themes of romantic relationships are examined through the prism of cultural norms and individual goals.

1. Contrasting social backgrounds:

The main characters in both stories come from different socioeconomic classes, which causes problems stemming from how society views them. Pia and Arjun's wealthy backgrounds in Nadaaniyan lead to friction in Pia's family. Similarly, Premalu shows how economic inequality threatens a romance and how prejudices in society are brought to light.

2. Pretend relationships blossoming into genuine love:

This is a common plot point in both films. In Nadaaniyan, the pretence helps end a personal feud; in Premalu, it tackles outside influences, leading to real feelings of connection in both cases.

3. Personal growth and self-discovery:

After her parents' divorce, Pia's focus shifts from seeking approval to claiming her autonomy; she resolves to become a lawyer so she can help support her mother. Through practice, Arjun is able to control his emotions and put the needs of others ahead of his own ego. Similarly, the protagonists of Premalu face societal expectations and, in the face of adversity, redefine who they are. 

4. Ambiguous conclusions:

The two films leave viewers wondering what happens to the main characters' relationships after the credits roll. In Nadaaniyan, the main characters face the difficulties of a long-distance romance head-on. Amidst unresolved outside forces, Premalu also makes the viewer wonder how long the characters' relationship would last.

5. Family dynamics and societal expectations:

The films explore the impact of societal expectations and family dynamics on individual decisions. Her father's adultery and conventional expectations influence Pia's quest for independence. Premalu deals with comparable topics, as its protagonists struggle with society's expectations and family-imposed ambitions.

Critical Reception

Nadaaniyan was met with ambivalent reviews despite its efforts to connect with modern viewers. The absence of nuanced character development and overuse of tired clichés were two complaints voiced by critics. The film's attempt to incorporate Gen Z elements into the story was criticised for being insincere and not adding anything meaningful.

Critics praised the fascinating plot and likeable characters of Premalu for its realistic depiction of young people and social challenges. A standout in the romantic comedy genre, the film's success was praised for its grounded approach and outstanding performances.

The stories of Nadaaniyan and Premalu weave together themes of love, social conventions, and individual growth. Premalu is more approachable because its plot is based in reality, in contrast to Nadaaniyan, which offers a glossy portrayal with an unclear finish. The shared elements between the two films draw attention to prevalent filmic themes, but the way they were presented and how people responded to them demonstrate the power of genuine storytelling.

ALSO READ: Premalu: 7 must-watch Malayalam rom-coms on OTT