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

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.

