Yami Gautam Dhar is set to appear in a completely different avatar with Nayyi Navelli, a fantasy family entertainer whose teaser has now been released.

The teaser introduces Yami as Mohini, a newly married woman who appears to bring peace and happiness to a chaotic family in Meerut. But the seemingly perfect picture changes when her brother-in-law begins suspecting that she is actually a ‘daayan’, or witch.

The film appears to combine supernatural elements with family humour rather than following a conventional horror formula.

Yami’s mysterious bride

The teaser begins with the dramatic claim that the new bride is a “daayan”. Her brother-in-law appears convinced that something supernatural is hiding behind Mohini’s otherwise perfect personality.

Yami’s character, however, does not react like someone frightened by the accusation. Instead, she delivers a playful response suggesting that witches and ghosts are hardly unusual to her.

This creates the film’s central mystery: is Mohini really a supernatural being, or is there something else behind the family's suspicions?

The teaser also uses fantasy, comedy and eccentric family situations to establish the tone of the film.

Why are people comparing it with Tumbbad?

The supernatural imagery in the teaser has led to comparisons with Tumbbad, the acclaimed 2018 horror-fantasy film.

However, there is currently no confirmed indication that Nayyi Navelli is a sequel, spin-off or part of the Tumbbad universe. The comparison appears to stem from the film's folklore-inspired supernatural atmosphere and mysterious female character.

The makers have instead presented Nayyi Navelli as a fantasy family entertainer combining humour, family relationships and supernatural mystery.

Who is behind the film?

Nayyi Navelli is directed by Balaji Mohan and written by Himanshu Sharma and Divy Nidhi Sharma. The film is produced by Aanand L Rai and Himanshu Sharma under Colour Yellow Productions in association with Amazon MGM Studios.

The cast includes Yami Gautam Dhar, Addinath M. Kothare, Anurag Thakur, Sunita Rajwar, Mita Vashisth, Aaditya Kulshreshth, Susmita Mukherjee and Sonal Jha, among others. Music has been composed by G. V. Prakash Kumar.

When will Nayyi Navelli release?

The film is scheduled to arrive in cinemas on October 16, 2026, ahead of the Dussehra period.

With Yami playing an unusual supernatural character and the story combining family entertainment with fantasy and horror-comedy, the teaser has created curiosity around what Mohini's real identity might be.