Yami Gautam Dhar is set to return to theatres this Dussehra with Nayyi Navelli, a film that takes her away from the serious roles she has played in recent years. This time, the actress portrays Mohini, a newly married woman whose seemingly perfect personality raises suspicions within her in-laws’ household. Scheduled to release on October 16, the film blends family comedy, fantasy, mystery and elements of Indian folklore.
Set in Meerut, the story combines small-town humour with an unusual question: Is Mohini really a daayan, or are the suspicions surrounding her simply the result of family gossip? Directed by Tamil filmmaker Balaji Mohan, the film marks his first Hindi-language project. Here are seven interesting facts about Nayyi Navelli ahead of its release.
What Is Nayyi Navelli About?
Nayyi Navelli centres on Mohini, played by Yami Gautam Dhar, who enters her new family as an apparently ideal daughter-in-law. She gradually transforms her chaotic household into a seemingly peaceful place, winning the admiration of those around her.
However, her brother-in-law, or devar, begins questioning whether her perfect behaviour hides something more mysterious. His suspicions lead to a series of developments that bring the possibility of a supernatural secret into the family’s everyday life.
The makers have presented the film as a fantasy family entertainer, combining humour and mystery with elements of action.
7 Things to Know About Yami Gautam’s Nayyi Navelli
1. Balaji Mohan Makes His Hindi Film Debut
The film is directed by Balaji Mohan, the Tamil filmmaker known for Maari and Maari 2. With Nayyi Navelli, he makes his debut as a director in Hindi cinema, bringing his filmmaking experience to a story rooted in North Indian family life and folklore.
2. The Project Was Initially Reported as a Horror-Comedy
When the project was first announced, reports described it as a horror-comedy drawing inspiration from Indian folklore and mythology. It is now being promoted as a fantasy family entertainer.
The genre also offers a different direction for Yami Gautam, whose recent films, including A Thursday, Lost and Article 370, featured more serious themes. Her role as Mohini introduces a different mix of comedy, mystery and fantasy.
3. Aanand L Rai’s Colour Yellow Explores a Different Genre
The film is backed by Colour Yellow, the production banner associated with Aanand L Rai and Himanshu Sharma. The production house is known largely for slice-of-life storytelling, making Nayyi Navelli a different creative venture.
According to an industry source, the film’s humour differs from the style generally associated with the banner.
4. The Trailer Features a Traditional Test for Identifying a Daayan
One of the trailer’s notable moments involves Mohini’s brother-in-law asking her to show her feet. The request refers to a traditional folk belief that a witch can be identified by examining whether her footprints are straight.
The scene takes a mysterious turn when Mohini reveals her true self in front of the family. The trailer then ends with another twist, leaving viewers with questions about her identity and the events that follow.
5. The Film Has an Experienced Writing Team
Nayyi Navelli has been written by Himanshu Sharma and Divy Nidhi Sharma. Divy Nidhi Sharma has previously worked on films such as Sitaare Zameen Par and Laapataa Ladies.
The film’s music has been composed by GV Prakash Kumar, adding another creative element to the fantasy entertainer.
6. It Marks the First Collaboration Between Amazon MGM Studios and Colour Yellow
Nayyi Navelli brings Amazon MGM Studios and Colour Yellow together for the first time. The latter is led by Aanand L Rai and Himanshu Sharma, making the project a new collaboration between the two production entities.
7. Kriti Sanon Was Reportedly Considered for the Lead Role
Before Yami Gautam joined the project, reports suggested that Kriti Sanon had initially been considered for the lead role. According to those reports, the actress had liked and approved the script.
Had she taken on the project, it would reportedly have marked her second film with Colour Yellow after Tere Ishq Mein.
Nayyi Navelli Cast and Release Details
Alongside Yami Gautam Dhar, the film features Addinath M Kothare, Anurag Thakur, Sunita Rajwar, Mita Vashisth, Aaditya Kulshreshth, Susmita Mukherjee, Sonal Jha, Suneel Sinha, Prateek Pachori, Akshat Singh, Babita Pandey, Ajay Pal and Neeraj Singh.
Directed by Balaji Mohan, with a screenplay by Himanshu Sharma and Divy Nidhi Sharma, the film combines supernatural mystery with family comedy. Its Meerut setting and folklore-inspired premise form the backdrop for the story of a daughter-in-law whose seemingly perfect nature becomes a source of suspicion.
With its October 16 release timed for Dussehra, Nayyi Navelli presents Yami Gautam in a different kind of role. The film brings together small-town humour, family relationships and supernatural intrigue, setting it apart from the more conventional family dramas and horror stories.