Gen Alpha Too Smart For Dated Rom-Com?

Don't Be Shy, a production from Alia and Shaheen Bhatt, revisits the college romance and teenage drama tropes popular in the 90s and early 2000s. The film stars a fresh cast, including Aarushi Bajaj as the lead, who bring energy to their roles. However, the narrative, centered on a young woman meticulously planning her life and using a fake identity to achieve her goals, is deemed predictable and artificial.

Director Sreeti Mukerji attempts to create a vibrant world, drawing parallels with films like Aisha and The Archies, alongside influences from shows like Never Have I Ever. While the visuals are polished and the music complements the youthful theme, the screenplay lacks authenticity and nuanced writing. Modern audiences, particularly Gen Alpha, are portrayed as too smart and self-aware to connect with the film's shallow plot and manufactured conflicts.

The film's biggest critique is its outdated approach, failing to acknowledge the evolved expectations of today's youth. What might have worked a decade and a half ago is seen as embarrassing and shallow for a generation accustomed to sharper, more self-aware storytelling. The attempted class-difference themes are also noted as lacking genuine social commentary, serving more as a source of manufactured drama.