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The Communiqué News

Yami Gautam Dhar headlines Balaji Mohan's family fantasy entertainer, released on 16 October 2026.

Swati Bhat

Yami Gautam Dhar stars as Mohini in Balaji Mohan's supernatural family entertainer Nayyi Navelli.

Nayyi Navelli Review: Director Balaji Mohan brings together supernatural fantasy, family emotions, mythology and humour in an entertaining cinematic experience led by Yami Gautam Dhar, Addinath M. Kothare and Anurag Thakur.

Indian cinema has always found its greatest emotional connection in stories rooted in family relationships, traditions and cultural beliefs. With Nayyi Navelli, filmmaker Balaji Mohan explores this familiar world through a refreshing supernatural lens, bringing together the warmth of an Indian joint family and the excitement of fantasy storytelling. Released theatrically on 16 October 2026, Nayyi Navelli stars Yami Gautam Dhar in an intriguing central role. Produced by Aanand L. Rai and Himanshu Sharma, the film presents an imaginative combination of domestic comedy, mythological references and supernatural adventure.

At the heart of the story lies an entertaining question. What happens when a newly married daughter in law turns out to be so extraordinarily perfect that her family begins wondering whether there is something magical about her?

Nayyi Navelli Story: A Perfect Bride and a Family Full of Surprises

Set in Meerut, Nayyi Navelli introduces Mohini, portrayed by Yami Gautam Dhar, who enters the Awasthi household after marrying Raja Awasthi, played by Addinath M. Kothare.

Mohini quickly wins hearts with her intelligence, warmth and remarkable ability to manage almost every situation. Whether it is handling family responsibilities or resolving unexpected problems, she seems to possess an extraordinary solution for everything.

However, her impressive abilities attract the curiosity of Raja Awasthi's younger brother, Bantu, portrayed by Anurag Thakur.

Bantu begins suspecting that his seemingly perfect sister in law might possess supernatural powers, setting the stage for amusing misunderstandings, mysterious developments and an unusual family adventure.

The premise provides an engaging foundation for a story that combines familiar household relationships with the imaginative possibilities of supernatural cinema.

Yami Gautam Dhar Adds Charm and Confidence to Mohini

Yami Gautam Dhar brings an appealing screen presence to Mohini, a character that allows her to explore innocence, intelligence, mystery and dramatic intensity within the same narrative.

Known for her performances in A Thursday, OMG 2, Article 370 and Haq, Yami Gautam Dhar continues to demonstrate her interest in characters that offer different creative possibilities.

In Nayyi Navelli, she steps into the world of supernatural family entertainment, presenting a character whose extraordinary abilities become central to the story's humour and intrigue.

Anurag Thakur, as Bantu, provides an entertaining contrast through his suspicion and determination to uncover Mohini's secret. His character introduces comic possibilities that complement the film's unusual premise.

Addinath M. Kothare portrays Raja Awasthi, bringing an emotional dimension to the relationship between Mohini and her new family.

The supporting ensemble includes Mita Vashisht, Sunita Rajwar, Sushmita Mukherjee, Sonal Jha, Aaditya Kulshreshth, Suneel Sinha and Prateek Pachauri.

Together, the cast creates a recognisable Indian family setting that provides the emotional foundation for the film's fantasy elements.

Balaji Mohan Brings Family Comedy and Indian Mythology Together

One of the most interesting aspects of Nayyi Navelli is its attempt to connect contemporary family entertainment with traditional Indian mythology.

Director Balaji Mohan explores supernatural storytelling through a setting that remains culturally familiar to Indian audiences.

The story, conceived by Himanshu Sharma, with screenplay and dialogues by Divy Nidhi Sharma, introduces mythological references and themes associated with the enduring conflict between good and evil. The combination gives the film a distinctive creative direction, moving beyond conventional domestic comedy to explore a world where ordinary family experiences intersect with extraordinary possibilities. The Meerut setting further strengthens its cultural identity, allowing the story to retain a recognisable North Indian atmosphere while introducing elements of fantasy and adventure.

Nayyi Navelli Music and Technical Team Add Colour to the Fantasy

The film brings together an accomplished technical team responsible for its visual and musical presentation.

Cinematographer Rishi Punjabi captures the film's combination of family drama and supernatural fantasy, while production designer Ravi Srivastava contributes to its visual environment.

Editor Sumeet Kotian shapes the narrative, which moves between domestic humour, emotional moments and fantasy sequences.

Music composer G. V. Prakash Kumar contributes to the film's musical landscape, while choreographer Vijay A. Ganguly handles the dance sequences.

The celebratory song Bhabhi Tabaahi, sung by Neeti Mohan with lyrics by Vayu, reflects the film's lively and playful identity.

Costume designers Rushi Sharma and Manoshi Nath, makeup and prosthetics designer Shipra Singh Acharya, action director Mahesh Mathew, and sound designers Shijin Hutton and Abhishek Nair contribute to the film's overall presentation.

Phantom FX handles the visual effects, an important component of the film's supernatural world.

Together, these creative departments support the filmmakers' ambition to present a colourful family entertainer that combines traditional relationships with imaginative storytelling.

Final Verdict: Nayyi Navelli Celebrates Family Entertainment With a Supernatural Twist

Nayyi Navelli offers an imaginative premise that brings together the charm of Indian family relationships, the curiosity of supernatural mystery and the cultural familiarity of mythology.

Yami Gautam Dhar's central character gives the story its identity, while Anurag Thakur, Addinath M. Kothare and the supporting ensemble contribute to its family oriented appeal.

Director Balaji Mohan's decision to explore fantasy through the world of a newly married daughter in law gives the film an interesting narrative foundation.

With its combination of humour, family emotions, mythology, music and supernatural adventure, Nayyi Navelli presents an inviting proposition for audiences who enjoy imaginative Hindi entertainers.

The Communiqué's Take: Nayyi Navelli brings a refreshing supernatural twist to the traditional Indian family entertainer, with Yami Gautam Dhar at the centre of a story filled with mystery, humour and mythological imagination.





Mumbai, July 24: Award-winning film Max, Min & Meowzaki marked its theatrical release with a grand Mumbai premiere, bringing together an impressive gathering of Bollywood and Indian cinema personalities. The evening celebrated the film’s poignant storytelling while highlighting the growing international recognition it has received across prestigious film festivals.

Swati Bhat

Max, Min & Meowzaki Premiere Turns Star-Studded as Danish Pandor, Aahana Kumra, Kirti Kulhari and More Join Celebrations

Producer Samiksha Oswal attended the premiere alongside the film's main cast, including Medha Shankr, Nafisa Ali, Nasser, Siddharth Menon, and Adil Hussain. The event also featured appearances by Danish Pandor, Aahana Kumra, Kirti Kulhari, Meera Chopra, and Mihir Ahuja, among other celebrities from the entertainment industry.

The premiere is a significant moment for Max, Min & Meowzaki, which has already gained a strong reputation on the international festival scene. The film debuted at the Busan International Film Festival and was subsequently chosen for the Best of Fest section at the Palm Springs International Film Festival. It also received Audience Honors at festivals in Sonoma, San Francisco, and Osaka.

Further enhancing its impressive festival journey, the film has won Best Feature awards at Stuttgart, Cincinnati, Berlin's Indo-German Film Week, and the RIFFA International Film Festival in Canada, solidifying its appeal to audiences and critics beyond India.

At its core, Max, Min & Meowzaki is an emotional multigenerational tale that explores love, loss, healing, family bonds, and second chances. Featuring Medha Shankr, Siddharth Menon, Adil Hussain, Mandira Bedi, Nasser, Nafisa Ali, and Vidhatri Bandi, the film unites performers from various generations to tell a profoundly human story.

Presented by Samiksha Oswal, the film is written and directed by Padmakumar Narasimhamurthy and produced by Shael Oswal and Samiksha Oswal under the banner of SSO Productions.

With its successful festival run now followed by a theatrical release, Max, Min & Meowzaki is establishing itself as one of the year's notable Indian films, driven by emotion, performances, and international acclaim. The film is currently showing in theaters.




Indian cinema is no stranger to unconventional stories, but a film with a cat at the heart of its narrative is certainly a rarity. Max, Min & Meowzaki, the internationally acclaimed and award-winning film presented by actor-producer Samiksha Oswal, promises to bring something refreshingly different to the big screen with a poignant story about love, loss, healing and second chances.

Swati Bhat

Max, Min & Meowzaki: Why Shooting a Film With a Cat Was a Unique Challenge for Samiksha Oswal

For Samiksha Oswal, however, bringing the unusual concept to life came with its own set of challenges. Speaking about the experience of shooting with a cat, the producer revealed that the filming process took considerably longer than a conventional production.

“Nobody has ever made a film with a cat. There are films featuring dogs, but it’s difficult to shoot with a cat,” Samiksha Oswal shared. Recalling some memorable moments from the set, she said the cat would often run away when the lights were being arranged, while at other times she would simply sleep, leaving the crew waiting patiently.

According to Samiksha, the additional time and patience required during the shoot were ultimately worth it. Despite the challenges, the team managed to create the film exactly as they had originally envisioned it.

The decision to build the story around a cat also came from a deeply personal connection with animals. Samiksha revealed that filmmaker and producer Shael Oswal is a passionate animal lover and has around a hundred stray dogs at his farmhouse. His love for animals made him particularly excited about exploring a story where a cat plays a central role.

Beyond its unusual protagonist, Max, Min & Meowzaki explores the small sacrifices people make in relationships, while addressing themes of loss, acceptance, hope and the courage to start over. The film's heartwarming trailer has already generated curiosity, offering audiences a glimpse into its emotionally rich and unconventional world.

The film features an impressive ensemble cast including Medha Shankr, Siddharth Menon, Adil Hussain, Mandira Bedi, Nasser, Nafisa Ali and Vidhatri Bandi. At its core, the film is a multigenerational emotional journey that explores how people learn to live with loss while finding new reasons to embrace life.

Max, Min & Meowzaki has already earned significant recognition on the international festival circuit. The film premiered at the Busan International Film Festival and was selected for the prestigious Best of Fest section at the Palm Springs International Film Festival. It has also received Audience Honours at festivals in Sonoma, San Francisco and Osaka, alongside Best Feature wins at Stuttgart, Cincinnati, Berlin's Indo-German Film Week and RIFFA in Canada.

Presented by Samiksha Oswal, the film is written and directed by Padmakumar Narasimhamurthy and produced by Shael Oswal and Samiksha Oswal under the banner of SSO Productions.

With its unusual premise, acclaimed cast and impressive international festival journey, Max, Min & Meowzaki is now set to bring its story of companionship, healing and hope to Indian audiences. The film is scheduled for an exclusive theatrical release on July 24.




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