# Don't Be Shy reviews: Aarushi Bajaj's teen rom-com draws a split verdict

Published 2026-09-25T18:35:22Z

> Early reviews of Sreeti Mukerji's coming-of-age romantic comedy Don't Be Shy praise its young cast and breezy music but fault a predictable story and a sagging second half.

Don't Be Shy, the coming-of-age romantic comedy directed by Sreeti Mukerji, has reached critics, and the early verdict is mixed. The film reportedly began streaming on Prime Video on September 25, 2026, and reports say Alia Bhatt is among its co-producers. Ratings so far range from two stars to three out of five.

The story centres on Shy Das, played by Aarushi Bajaj, a young woman who has pinned her whole future on her wealthy boyfriend Mayank, played by Piyush Khati. When he ends the relationship, her plans fall apart. Mayank moves on with Tara (Bianca Arora), and a jealous Shy sets out for revenge before she is forced to face who she really is, with Dhruv (Ansh Duggal) in the picture.

The cast is where both reviews find the most to like. Bajaj, reportedly making her debut, is credited with capturing a confused and restless young woman, while Bianca Arora wins praise for her natural presence as Tara. Khati and Duggal are also described as confident. Ram Sampath's music is called breezy, though one review notes it fades once the film is over.

The weak spots are just as consistent. Critics find the screenplay predictable, leaning on familiar rom-com and campus tropes, and the pace is said to slow down in the second half. Several supporting players get little to do, including Kunaal Roy Kapur and filmmaker Anurag Basu, who plays Shy's father. Neha Dhupia is reportedly underused as well.

The reviews part ways on the overall effect. The harsher take argues the film suits viewers under 15 and feels more like an adult's idea of teenagers than the real thing. The kinder view calls it a light one-time watch, carried by energy, humour and a warm female friendship that skips the usual rivalry angle.

For viewers after an easy weekend pick, Don't Be Shy looks like a colourful, youthful entertainer that stays close to the surface.

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Source: https://clapnumber.com/news/dont-be-shy-reviews-aarushi-bajajs-teen-rom-com-draws-a-split-verdict
Retrieved: 2026-09-25