Yami Gautam's Nayyi Navelli: 7 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Her Dussehra Release

Yami Gautam's Nayyi Navelli hits cinemas on October 16. Here are the lesser-known details about the film, from its director to its cast.
Updated:- 2026-10-15, 10:40 IST
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Yami Gautam Dhar is back on the big screen this Dussehra, and this time she's neither a lawyer nor an officer. In Nayyi Navelli, she plays a bahu who may or may not be a witch. The film releases on October 16, from a Tamil director's Hindi debut and a daayan twist in Meerut here's everything you should know before you book your tickets. What started as a small family drama has now turned into something much bigger. The film is set in Meerut, has that rooted North Indian humour, and then comes the twist - is Yami's character really a daayan or is it just family gossip gone too far?

What Is Yami Gautam’s Nayyi Navelli About?

The story is set in Meerut. Yami plays Mohini, a picture-perfect new bahu who turns her chaotic sasural into something that looks like paradise. Her devar, however, is not convinced. He starts to suspect that his ideal bhabhi is actually a daayan. The makers describe it as a fantasy family entertainer with comedy, mystery and some action thrown in.

 

 

 

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Things You Probably Didn't Know About Nayyi Navelli

Nayyi Navelli releases this Dussehra. Check out the story, trailer details, makers and full cast of Yami Gautam's new film.

1. Balaji Mohan Is Making His Hindi Debut

The film is directed by Tamil filmmaker Balaji Mohan, who is known for Maari and Maari 2. This is his first Hindi film.

2. It Was First Reported As A Horror-Comedy

When the project was first announced, reports called it a horror-comedy inspired by Indian folklore and mythology. Now it is being promoted as a fantasy family film. For Yami, the change of pace is big, as her recent films like A Thursday, Lost and Article 370 were all serious dramas.

 

 

 

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3. Aanand L Rai Is Trying Something New

The film is backed by Aanand L Rai's Colour Yellow, a banner mostly known for slice-of-life stories. An industry source said the humour here is quite different from what the production house usually makes.

4. The Trailer Has A Classic Daayan Test

In the trailer, Mohini's devar asks her to show her feet to check if her footprint is straight. It is an old folk-tale way of spotting a witch. Mohini then reveals her true self in front of the family, and the trailer ends on a twist that raises the stakes even higher.

5. The Writers Have Hit Films Behind Them

Himanshu Sharma and Divy Nidhi Sharma have written the film. Divy Nidhi Sharma has earlier worked on Sitaare Zameen Par and Laapataa Ladies. GV Prakash Kumar has composed the music.

 

 

 

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6. It Is Amazon MGM Studios' First Film With Colour Yellow

Nayyi Navelli is the first collaboration between Amazon MGM Studios and Colour Yellow, the production house led by Aanand L Rai and Himanshu Sharma.

7. Kriti Sanon Was Reportedly The First Choice

Before Yami came on board, reports said Kriti Sanon was initially lined up for the lead role. She had reportedly liked the script and approved it, and it would have been her second film with Colour Yellow after Tere Ishq Mein.

 

 

 

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Nayyi Navelli Cast

Along with 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.

Conclusion

So that’s Nayyi Navelli for you not your usual horror story, not your usual family drama. It’s somewhere in between, and that’s what makes it interesting. Yami has mostly done intense roles lately, so seeing her in this avatar will be fun to watch. If you like those small-town stories with a bit of mystery and comedy, this one might be worth a ticket this Dussehra.

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FAQ
When is Yami Gautam's Nayyi Navelli releasing?
Nayyi Navelli is releasing in theatres on 16 October 2026.
What is the story of Nayyi Navelli? Is Yami Gautam playing a daayan?
Yes. Yami plays Mohini, a picture-perfect new bride who comes to a chaotic household in Meerut and turns it into paradise.
Who is the director and cast of Nayyi Navelli?
The film is directed by Balaji Mohan - it's his Hindi directorial debut - and written by Himanshu Sharma and Divy Nidhi Sharma. Produced by Aanand L Rai and Himanshu Sharma, with music by G V Prakash Kumar. Along with Yami Gautam as Mohini, it stars Adinath Kothare as Shiva, Mita Vashisht, Sunita Rajwar, Sonal Jha and others.
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