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Student of the Year

19 October 2012Hindi2h 26mPart 1 of the Student of the Year series
ComedyRomance
out of 10
Mixedlukewarm or divided
Monk Score · 12 critic reviews

Glossy and watchable, but thin on story and emotional weight.

Verdict tier Mixed, lukewarm or divided, on a scale of Unfavorable, Mixed, Recommended, Exceptional.

  • Praised: lavish visuals and production values
  • Criticised: weak story and lack of depth

Audience

User score 5.2 out of 10 from 5 ratings, Unfavorable
Read 4 audience reviews ↓

Not streaming in India

Top cast

Full cast & crew

Critic consensus

What 12 critics are saying

Critical reception for Student of the Year was mixed, with scores clustering in the average range and few reviewers finding it either exceptional or wholly dismissible. The film's lavish production values, choreographed songs, and visual spectacle were the most commonly acknowledged strengths, with several critics noting Johar's ability to deliver glossy, escapist entertainment. The debutant performances also drew moderate praise from a handful of reviewers. Common criticisms pointed to a weak or near-absent story, lack of depth, and a sense of emotional detachment compared to Johar's earlier work, with some finding the film's superficiality difficult to overlook despite its surface appeal.

How the 12 scores spread

Positive / mixed / negative reviews

Positive = 6.5/10 and up · negative = below 5/10

AI-generated summary of 12 critic reviews · may contain errors

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From the papers

Critic reviews (12)

Top critics first, then by score · not-rated last · updated

  1. Top critic

    Hindustan Times

    Film review ·

    Karan Johar's forte is excess. He creates fantastical worlds brimming with beautiful people and expensive things and yet anchors them in high emotion. His films work as both designer porn and soap opera.

  2. Top critic

    IBNLive

    Film review ·

    Too long by about twenty minutes, the film could've done with some tightening – perhaps the clunky treasure hunt sequence could go? Nitpickings aside, this is a breezy, enjoyable film by a director who knows his craft.

  3. Top critic

    NDTV

    Film review ·

    It definitely isn't the film of the year. But if you like your entertainment to be served up with glitzy but pulpy garnishing, pirouette your way to the nearest screen by all means. If you don't, go for it only if your life depends on it.

  4. Top critic

    Indian Express

    Film review ·

    I have a bone to pick with Karan Johar, who invites us once again, to witness a bunch of young students do their thing.

  5. Bollywood Hungama

    Film review ·

    On the whole, STUDENT OF THE YEAR is amongst Karan Johar's most accomplished works. The youth brigade would love it and those who have already past that age would want to revisit those days. This one's entertainment, entertainment and entertainment at its best. Clearly, KJo has a winner on hands, yet again!

  6. Bollyspice

    Film review ·

    Student of the Year is a film which has a little bit of everything. It contains drama, comedy and of course romance. It is not a ground-breaking film but it does not leave you feeling that you have made a bad investment. If anything you are left concluding that although it is not one of the greatest films to have ever been made, it was still a film that was worth the watch!

  7. Filmfare

    Film review ·

    All in all, Karan's SOTY world is surreal and spectacular yet it has moments that will bring you back to reality and warm the cockles of your heart. This is escapism at its best. Oh and girls, there's enough brawn to keep you drooling!

  8. Rediff

    Film review ·

    Often it is this hold on the viewer through constant influx of escapism and pomp with magnificently choreographed songs, razzle dazzle of colours/style/design, appropriate dosage of humour and ritzy production values that distracts one from Student of the Year's brash celebration of superficiality and obvious lack of depth.

  9. DNA India

    Film review ·

    SOTY is not something you would want to miss if the surreal setting with bubble gum romance is your calling. The performances make this film a great watch. It's a treat for all K Jo fans and if you didn't really enjoy Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, K3G and other such films by the director, you can easily skip this one.

  10. KoiMoi

    Film review ·

    Student Of The Year has some really earnest performances and entertaining comedy scenes. Other than that it's a staple Karan Johar affair: ridiculous in parts and dramatic in others.

  11. Glamsham

    Film review ·

    I don't know why, but I get this strange feeling that the director was not fully involved or attached to SOTY. The mark of intensity that one has seen in his past films is missing. It's like a grand wedding reception with a poor food spread.

  12. Zee News

    Film review ·

    To sum it up, watch 'Student Of The Year' for the debutantes. They have really pulled off a tough task of playing praiseworthy roles in a film which suffers from the lack-of-a-story syndrome.

From our readers

Audience reviews (4)

5 ratings · user score 5.2

  1. Sandeep GuptaMay 2013
    7/10

    It is better then I expected. There is nothing fresh but never gets boring. It is a polished teenage college flick with layers of emotions underneath. For sure Karan Johar knows his craft but he is capable of doing better than this.

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  2. Ajay lawyerJul 2017
    7/10

    very interesting college life ,hope it brings every college

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  4. Shashwat SisodiaSept 2019
    6/10

    'SOTY' to say exactly isn't even logical, and still, it is more fun than what Karan Johar has created in this decade. It is candyfloss entertainment and fuzzy romance served candidly. And that's what makes it one of the best Hindi films of the year despite many, many contrivances. I enjoyed Karan Johar's extremely delightful dazzlingly textured Student of the Year. It was a no-logic love triangle set in a high school (which, ironically, is named after a Saint who emphasized on textbooks and education) where everyone dances in stilettos, reads Vogue magazines and wears expensive Manish Malhotra dresses. Nevertheless, the film was delightful with cheerful performances of Varum Dhawan and Siddharth Malhotra. Alia needs a lot of work, she's ofcourse just 17. It's a fairytale on the whole. I'm going with 3 stars for 'SOTY'.

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