Gippy Grewal stands by Ibrahim Ali Khan and Khushi Kapoor following Nadaaniyan criticism: 'when Saif Sir’s first film was released...'

Gippy Grewal talks about Nadaaniyan backlash

Gippy Grewal, who recently launched the trailer for his upcoming film Akaal with Dharma Productions, shared his thoughts on the recent backlash faced by Ibrahim Ali Khan and Khushi Kapoor for their performances in Nadaaniyan.

The actor-director, who himself has faced criticism throughout his career, used his own experiences to offer a supportive perspective. Reflecting on the early days of his career, Gippy recalled how, when he made Carry On Jatta, many ridiculed him and doubted the film’s potential.

Despite the negativity, he remained undeterred. "When we made Carry On Jatta, we heard many people say 'these people are working as if the film will make 100 crores'. And we did it," he said proudly.

Gippy pointed out that criticism could either serve as a blow to one’s morale or inspire them to prove their critics wrong.

He added, "There are two sides to them. On one hand, you feel a little upset when you hear the criticism. On the other, you feel like, ‘No, I will prove myself.’"

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He also offered advice to newcomers, drawing a parallel to Saif Ali Khan’s early years in the industry. "I thought, if we bring a Hindi film, it should be with a production house that I would be proud to sit with. And today, we are sitting with Dharma. So, that child (Ibrahim Ali Khan)…he starred in his first film, and maybe some liked it, and some didn’t. I feel that when Saif Sir’s first film was released, people must have said the same things to him. But today, no one can say anything about his performance, right? So, it’s a part of life," Gippy shared.

Meanwhile, Karan Johar also responded to the criticism surrounding Nadaaniyan, quoting an old Bollywood saying, "Main bas ye hi kahunga, ek purane film ka alfaaz hai ki kuch toh log kahenge logon ka kaam hai kehna… chhodo bekaar ki baatein, beet na jaaye raina. Bas ye hi kehna chahunga main," encouraging everyone to ignore baseless negativity.

Nadaaniyan, directed by Shauna Gautam, features an ensemble cast including Khushi Kapoor, Ibrahim Ali Khan, Dia Mirza, Jugal Hansraj, Mahima Chaudhry, Suniel Shetty, Archana Puran Singh, and others. The film, which was released on Netflix on 7th March 2025, has generated significant buzz, despite the criticism.