Yami Gautam plays a seemingly perfect bride whose presence sparks suspicion inside a Meerut householdThe horror comedy combines, folklore and family humour in an attempt to create a distinct identity.
Share Article
https://www.india.com/entertainment/bollywood/nayyi-navelli-yami-gautam-leads-an-intriguing-horror-comedy-that-fails-to-deliver-on-its-promising-concept-opinion-8536433/
Yami Gautam anchors an interesting horror comedy (PC: IMDb)
Yami Gautam returns to big screen with Nayyi Navelli, a horror comedy that blends family drama, supernatural elements, folklore and mythologyReleased in theatres on October 16, 2026, the film brings unusual story set inside chaotic household in MeerutAlongside Yami, the film features Adinath MKothare and Anurag Thakur in important roles, supported by an ensemble cast that adds humour and drama to the narrativeWith a seemingly perfect bride at the centre of the story and her brother-in-law suspecting that she might be a daayan (witch), the film sets up an intriguing mystery that takes an unexpected turn.
An intriguing concept rooted in mythology
Directed by Balaji Mohan and written by Divy Nidhi Sharma, with the story by Himanshu Sharma, Nayyi Navelli follows Mohini (Yami Gautam), a seemingly perfect bride who enters a chaotic household in MeerutHer arrival brings a different energy to the family, but her brother-in-law begins suspecting that his seemingly ideal bhabhi might actually be a daayan (witch).
Read more:
Nayyi Navelli advance booking: Yami Gautam’s film sets new benchmark ahead of its release
The film also introduces an intriguing storyline connected to Raavan and a mysterious stone called Kaal Sheel, which becomes central to the narrativeIts references to the origins of Ravana and Maryada Purushottam Rama give the film a mythological dimension that sets it apart from a conventional horror comedyThere is enough material here to create an engaging story blending folklore, suspense and humour.
Yami Gautam shines as the supposedly perfect bahu
Yami Gautam is undoubtedly one of the film’s biggest strengthsAs Mohini, she brings confidence, charm and a strong female presence to a story that revolves around a family questioning her identityShe handles the comedy with ease while also making the character’s emotional moments convincing.
Mohini is portrayed as a “sarvagunn sampann bahu” who brings moral values and ethics into the householdThrough her character, the film highlights the importance of respecting women and learning to value and love oneselfYami carries this message without losing the entertaining side of her performanceThere are also sequences where she recites mantras and Sanskrit shlokas, adding a powerful dimension to her characterThese moments feel particularly effective, strengthening her presence as a female lead anchoring a horror comedy.
Rather than following the familiar path of other films in the genre, Nayyi Navelli attempts to carve out its own identity by blending mythology, cultural elements and humour in a distinctive wayYami’s commanding screen presence makes these sequences stand out and adds to Mohini’s appeal as a character who is both entertaining and rooted in traditional values.
Her energy in the song Bhabhi Tabaahi is another highlightShe brings a lively screen presence to the number and adds to the film’s overall appealEven when the screenplay falters, Yami remains committed to her character and holds the film together.
Anurag Thakur and the supporting cast deliver the laughs
The first half belongs largely to the comedy and the ensemble’s timingAnurag Thakur’s camaraderie with Yami is among the film’s most entertaining aspectsHis attempts to prove that his bhabhi is a witch repeatedly backfire, creating situations that are funny while keeping the audience curious about what is really happening.
Sunita Rajwar as Asha Devi, Sushmita Mukherjee as Dadi and Mita Vashisht as Pinky Bua contribute to the household’s comic chaosSonal Jha as Sumitra Tai, Rajesh Dubeay as Tau Ji, Aaditya Kulshreshth as IAS Vishal and Prateek Pachauri as Punnu Chacha also add to the funSeveral exchanges land well, with the humour prompting genuine chuckles and occasional laugh-out-loud moments.
A special cameo by a Bollywood actress built around one sequence also delivers a delightful surprise that will make you laughAaditya Kulshreshth and Mita Vashisht have moments that stand out for reasons the film gradually reveals, making their portions worth watching.
Adinath MKothare adds emotional depth and mystery
Adinath MKothare plays Raja Awasthi, Mohini’s husbandHaving delivered strong performances across Marathi and Hindi projects, he once again makes a solid impressionHis character carries a mystery that becomes one of the story’s most intriguing elements.
The emotional connection between Raja and Mohini is particularly effective in the later portionsAdinath handles the sad and emotional scenes commendably, giving their relationship a sincerity that helps the film when the comedy begins to lose momentumHis performance adds another layer to the story and makes the character’s place in the larger mystery more compelling.
The underwhelming aspects of Nayyi Navelli
The biggest problem begins around the intervalAfter a first half driven by comedy and lively performances, the film shifts towards its mythology-inspired storyline and attempts to connect the dots involving Ravana, Rama and Kaal SheelThe concept remains interesting, but the transition does not feel as smooth as it should.
The second half unfolds in bits and piecesSome revelations are surprising, while other sequences feel underdeveloped or fail to reach their potentialDivy Nidhi Sharma’s screenplay needed a tighter structure to connect mythology, family drama, horror and emotional conflict more effectivelySeveral scenes feel incomplete or dull, with the editing by Sumeet Kotian doing little to improve the pacing.
The visual effects also lack consistencySome shots, particularly those involving Yami and demon, do not have the polish needed to make the supernatural elements convincingThese shortcomings weaken the atmosphere and take away from the impact of otherwise intriguing premise.
Music and background score add to the experience
GVPrakash Kumar’s music provides some enjoyable momentsBhabhi Tabaahi stands out for its energy and Yami’s performance, while Awadhiya Ke Raja and The World of Nayyi Navelli add variety to the soundtrackHowever, Phata Patakha, used in an important sequence, feels forced and somewhat unnecessaryThe moment might have worked better with different musical or dramatic treatment or they should’ve kept it simple.
The background score fares better overall, supporting the film’s shifts between comedy, mystery and emotionCinematographer Rishi Punjabi’s work helps establish the film’s setting, although the visual effects occasionally undermine the atmosphereBalaji Mohan, known for directing Dhanush’s Maari series, delivers a satisfactory effort but does not fully realise the potential of material.
Final verdict for Nayyi Navelli
Nayyi Navelli has a lot going for it: Yami Gautam’s confident performance, Adinath MKothare’s emotional depth, Anurag Thakur’s comic timing and an ensemble that understands the film’s humourIts connections to mythology and the mystery surrounding Kaal Sheel provide an intriguing foundation.
However, the uneven second half, weak screenplay, patchy editing and inconsistent visual effects prevent the film from becoming memorable horror comedy it could have beenStill, it remains a reasonably entertaining theatrical watch for its performances and unusual concept.
