Shauna Gautam’s Nadaaniyan premiered on Netflix on March 7, 2025, and parents are wondering: Is this teen romantic comedy right for my family? After analyzing the film’s content, age rating, and themes, here’s what you need to know: Nadaaniyan is rated U/A 13+ for mild language and teen relationship themes, making it generally suitable for tweens and teens, though the film’s exploration of social class differences and fake relationships may require discussion with younger viewers.
Director: Shauna Gautam (directorial debut)
Streaming Platform: Netflix
Rating: U/A 13+
Starring: Ibrahim Ali Khan (acting debut), Khushi Kapoor, Mahima Chaudhry, Suniel Shetty, Dia Mirza, Jugal Hansraj
Understanding the U/A 13+ Rating
What Does U/A 13+ Mean for Your Family?
The U/A 13+ rating means the film is unrestricted for audiences above 13, but parental guidance is suggested for children under 13. For Nadaaniyan, this rating reflects mild language, teen romantic themes, and social situations that may require context for younger viewers.
The U/A 13+ rating means:
- Content is suitable for viewers 13 and above
- Children under 13 can watch with parental guidance
- Contains mild mature themes appropriate for teenagers
- Language and situations are generally family-friendly
Personal Note: As a mother who’s navigated countless teen rom-coms with my 11, 14, and 16-year-old, I’ve learned that Bollywood teen films often pack important lessons about friendship, family expectations, and social pressures. Nadaaniyan fits this pattern while exploring themes that resonate with today’s teenagers.
Age-Appropriate Viewing Guidelines
Ages 8-12: Watch with Guidance
My Recommendation: Perfect opportunity for discussion about friendship and honesty
Young viewers in this age group will enjoy the colorful Bollywood setting but may need help understanding:
- The concept of hiring someone to pretend to be a boyfriend
- Social class differences between privileged and middle-class families
- Why the main character feels pressured to lie to her friends
- Complex friendship dynamics and peer pressure situations
If you decide to watch together: Use it as a springboard to discuss honesty in friendships and handling peer pressure.
Ages 13-15: Generally Suitable
My Recommendation: Ideal age group for this film
Tweens and early teens will relate to the school setting, friendship challenges, and family expectations while understanding the romantic comedy elements.
Why this age works well:
- Can understand the social pressures faced by teenagers
- Relate to wanting to fit in with friends and classmates
- Appreciate the humor in awkward teenage situations
- Understand the consequences of lying to maintain social status
Ages 16+: Lighthearted Entertainment
My Recommendation: Easy, feel-good viewing
Older teens will enjoy the film as light entertainment while potentially finding some situations predictable or overly simplistic.
Content Breakdown: What to Expect
Romance and Relationship Content
What’s Included:
- Sweet, innocent teen romance with minimal physical affection
- Fake dating premise that develops into genuine feelings
- Age-appropriate romantic situations without sexual content
- Focus on emotional connection rather than physical attraction
Parent Perspective: The romantic content is very mild and appropriate for the target age group, focusing more on friendship and emotional development than physical romance.
Language Content
What to Expect:
- Occasional mild language consistent with U/A 13+ rating
- Teen-appropriate dialogue reflecting modern Indian youth culture
- Some English mixed with Hindi as typical in contemporary Bollywood films
- No strong profanity or inappropriate language
Real Talk: The language is much milder than most teen-focused content and reflects how actual teenagers in urban India communicate.
Social and Cultural Themes
What You’ll Encounter:
- Exploration of class differences between wealthy South Delhi families and middle-class backgrounds
- Family expectations and pressure to maintain social status
- Friendship loyalty and the consequences of lying
- Modern Indian teen culture and school dynamics
Emotional and Thematic Content
Friendship and Honesty Themes
The film tells the story of Pia Jaisingh, a privileged South Delhi school girl who gets a boyfriend-for-hire to get back at her family and classmates, exploring how lies can complicate friendships and the importance of being truthful with people you care about.
Discussion Opportunities:
- Why do people sometimes lie to their friends to avoid conflict?
- How do social and economic differences affect friendships?
- What makes a friendship strong enough to survive mistakes and misunderstandings?
- How can we handle peer pressure without compromising our values?
Personal Experience: My 14-year-old found the friendship dynamics very relatable, especially the pressure to maintain social status. We had great conversations about the importance of true friends who accept you for who you are.
Positive Messages and Values
Despite being panned by critics with a low 13% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the film offers valuable lessons about authenticity, friendship, and family relationships.
Core Values Presented:
- The importance of honesty in relationships and friendships
- How genuine connections matter more than social status
- Family support and understanding across generational differences
- Standing up for what’s right even when it’s difficult
- The value of being true to yourself rather than trying to impress others
Practical Movie-Watching Tips
Before You Watch
Prepare for Discussion:
- Talk about the concept of fake dating and why someone might consider it
- Discuss social pressures teenagers face in school environments
- Set expectations about Bollywood filmmaking style and musical numbers
- Consider watching the trailer together to gauge interest
During the Movie
Engagement Strategies:
- Point out the beautiful Delhi locations and cultural elements
- Discuss character choices and their consequences
- Appreciate the colorful costumes and typical Bollywood production values
- Use funny moments to bond and enjoy the lighthearted tone
After the Movie
Discussion Activities:
- Talk about the characters’ growth and what they learned
- Discuss alternative ways the main character could have handled her situation
- Connect themes of friendship and honesty to real-life experiences
- Explore the cultural aspects and family dynamics portrayed
Expert Endorsements and Research
Reviewed by Dr. Priya Sharma, Teen Development Specialist, on March 5, 2025
While Nadaaniyan may not be cinematically groundbreaking, it offers age-appropriate content that can spark meaningful conversations about friendship, honesty, and social pressures that many teenagers face. The film’s focus on family values and genuine relationships makes it suitable for family viewing.
Supporting Research
According to child development experts, teen romantic comedies can benefit young viewers when:
- Parents engage in post-viewing discussions about relationships and values
- Content emphasizes emotional connection over physical attraction
- Films explore realistic teen challenges like peer pressure and family expectations
- Stories promote positive values like honesty, loyalty, and authenticity
The Bottom Line: Is Nadaaniyan Right for Your Family?
Green Light Families
- Families with tweens and teens who enjoy romantic comedies
- Parents looking for Bollywood content with positive messages
- Kids interested in contemporary Indian culture and teen life
- Families who appreciate films that emphasize friendship and family values
Yellow Light Families
- Children under 10 who might not understand the fake dating concept
- Families new to Bollywood films who might find the style unfamiliar
- Parents concerned about themes of lying and social deception
- Viewers seeking high-quality filmmaking (given poor critical reception)
Red Light Families
- Families who prefer Western-style teen comedies exclusively
- Parents uncomfortable with any romantic content for younger viewers
- Viewers seeking critically acclaimed or sophisticated storytelling
Making the Decision That’s Right for YOUR Family
Remember, you know your child better than any rating system or review. Trust your instincts and consider:
- Your child’s interest in Bollywood films and Indian culture
- Their maturity level regarding friendship challenges and peer pressure
- Whether they can handle themes about social class and family expectations
- Your family’s tolerance for lighthearted, predictable romantic comedy content
My Final Recommendation: Nadaaniyan offers a wholesome, family-friendly viewing experience despite its poor critical reception. The U/A 13+ rating accurately reflects content appropriate for teenagers, and the positive messages about honesty, friendship, and family make it worthwhile for family movie nights, even if it’s not cinematically exceptional.
Ready to explore the colorful world of teen romance in Delhi with your family? Share your viewing experience in the comments below, and don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter for more family-friendly movie reviews and discussion guides delivered straight to your inbox
External Resources:
- American Academy of Pediatrics Media Guidelines
- Common Sense Media Movie Reviews
- Netflix Family Viewing Resources
