Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai
Mumbai, Oct 16: Yami Gautam Dhar’s Nayyi Navelli begins with an entertaining family setup but gradually loses its way as it shifts towards mythology and supernatural elements. While the film has a few enjoyable moments, an uneven screenplay and unconvincing visual effects prevent it from reaching its full potential.
Gautam plays Mohini, a newly married woman who moves into her new home in Meerut. Her brother-in-law, Bantu, played by Anurag Thakur, suspects that she is hiding something. The resulting misunderstandings and family interactions provide some of the film’s most entertaining moments.
Anurag Thakur stands out with his natural comic timing, bringing energy to scenes that might otherwise fall flat. His performance is among the film’s strongest aspects, although the writing could have made better use of his character.
The narrative takes a different turn with the introduction of Kaal Sheel, a stone associated with the mythology of Ram and Ravan. As the supernatural conflict takes centre stage, the family comedy loses prominence. The mythological elements fail to blend smoothly with the domestic drama, leaving the film feeling like two different stories stitched together.
The screenplay also suffers from several confusing developments. Questions surrounding Raja’s position across the road, the characters’ ages, the sequence of Diwali and Dussehra, and the Hanuman interlude weaken the narrative’s coherence.
Director Balaji Mohan struggles to bring the film’s different elements together. The use of artificial intelligence-generated visuals to depict mythological sequences also detracts from the experience. Rather than adding depth to the story, these effects often appear artificial and uninspired.
Yami Gautam Dhar, despite playing the central character, is not given enough material to develop Mohini into a compelling presence. Her expressions occasionally feel repetitive, although the limitations of the writing contribute to the problem.
Adinath M Kothare, who plays Raja, shows promise in emotional scenes but is held back by the screenplay. Sunita Rajwar and Mita Vashisht contribute to the family setting, but the supporting characters remain underdeveloped, with their relationships largely serving as a backdrop for misunderstandings.
The technical aspects offer little improvement. The visual effects are inconsistent, particularly in the supernatural sequences, while the songs fail to leave a lasting impression or strengthen the film’s atmosphere.
Running for approximately two hours and 18 minutes, Nayyi Navelli would have benefited from tighter editing. Several portions slow the narrative without adding much to the story, while the family comedy could have been more effective if given greater attention.
Ultimately, Nayyi Navelli has an interesting premise but struggles to deliver a cohesive entertainer. The family scenes and Anurag Thakur’s comic performance provide occasional relief, but the uneven writing and poorly integrated mythological elements weaken the overall experience.
The film remains watchable in parts, particularly during the first half, but fails to make the most of its potential as a horror comedy.