Aanand L. Rai revives Kishore Kumar's 'Nakhrewali' for film Nakhrewaalii
Synopsis
Aanand L. Rai has revived Kishore Kumar's 70-year-old classic 'Nakhrewali' for his new film 'Nakhrewaalii', blending archival vocals with a fresh recording by Priyankit Jaiswal. It is a rare instance of a film being built around the emotional universe of a single vintage song — and a calculated bet that nostalgia can open doors for two complete newcomers in the lead.
Key Takeaways
Rai has reimagined Kishore Kumar's 1956 classic 'Nakhrewali' for the film 'Nakhrewaalii' , releasing on 30 October 2026 .
The new version features fresh vocals by Priyankit Jaiswal alongside archival vocals by the late Kishore Kumar .
New lyrics are by Vayu ; music by Vayu and Vaibhav Pani , built over the original Shankar-Jaikishan composition.
The film is directed by Rahul Shanklya and stars newcomers Ansh Duggal and Pragati Srivastava .
It is produced by Jio Studios and Colour Yellow .
Filmmaker and producer Aanand L. Rai has spoken about his decision to reimagine the legendary Kishore Kumar classic 'Nakhrewali' — originally featured in the 1956 Hindi film 'New Delhi' — for his upcoming production 'Nakhrewaalii', releasing in cinemas on 30 October 2026. Rai said the song felt like a natural fit the moment the film's concept took shape.
The Connection Between Song and Story
Reflecting on the creative decision, Rai said: 'Kishore Kumar ji's voice has a beauty that is truly eternal. There is so much warmth, mischief and charm in this song, and it has stayed with us across generations.'
He added: 'When we thought of Nakhrewaalii, the song felt like it belonged here. It brings back nostalgia, but there is also something incredibly timeless about it and I am sure the younger generation will cherish this version as much as we have loved the older one.'
How the Classic Has Been Reimagined
For the new film, the song has been reconstructed with fresh vocals by Priyankit Jaiswal woven alongside archival vocals by the late Kishore Kumar. The reworked track carries new lyrics by Vayu, with music composed by Vayu and Vaibhav Pani, built over the original archival composition by the iconic duo Shankar-Jaikishan.
The original 'Nakhrewali' was written by Inder Raj Anand and Radha Kishan, with music by Shankar Jaikishan. The 1956 film 'New Delhi' was directed by Mohan Segal and starred Vyjayanthimala and Kishore Kumar in the leads, supported by an ensemble cast including Jabeen Jalil, Nana Palsikar, Nazir Hussain, and others.
About the Original Film's Story
The 1956 'New Delhi' told the story of a Punjabi boy named Anand and a Tamil girl named Janaki who fall in love but are separated by their respective families — a narrative of cross-cultural romance that resonated with audiences of its era. The decision to draw from that film underscores Rai's intent to anchor 'Nakhrewaalii' in the emotional register of classic Hindi cinema.
The New Film and Its Cast
Directed by Rahul Shanklya, 'Nakhrewaalii' introduces newcomers Ansh Duggal and Pragati Srivastava as its lead pair. The film is produced by Jio Studios and Colour Yellow. Notably, this marks Rai's continued investment in stories centred on romance and nostalgia — a space he has navigated with films like 'Tanu Weds Manu' and 'Atrangi Re'. The arrival of two fresh faces as leads, backed by a heritage soundtrack, positions the film as a deliberate bridge between generations of Hindi film audiences.
Point of View
But it also risks overshadowing the newcomers it is supposed to launch. The real question is whether 'Nakhrewaalii' can convert Kishore Kumar's generational warmth into opening-week footfalls for two unknown faces. If it works, it will become a template; if it doesn't, it will be cited as evidence that vintage IP cannot substitute for star power.
NationPress
30 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the film 'Nakhrewaalii' about?
'Nakhrewaalii' is a Hindi film directed by Rahul Shanklya, produced by Jio Studios and Colour Yellow, releasing on 30 October 2026. It stars newcomers Ansh Duggal and Pragati Srivastava and is built around a reimagined version of Kishore Kumar's 1956 classic song 'Nakhrewali'.
How has the original 'Nakhrewali' song been changed for the new film?
The reimagined track features new vocals by Priyankit Jaiswal layered alongside archival vocals by the late Kishore Kumar. Fresh lyrics have been written by Vayu, with music by Vayu and Vaibhav Pani, while the original Shankar-Jaikishan composition has been retained as its foundation.
Which film did the original 'Nakhrewali' come from?
The original 'Nakhrewali' appeared in the 1956 Hindi film 'New Delhi', directed by Mohan Segal and starring Vyjayanthimala and Kishore Kumar. It was written by Inder Raj Anand and Radha Kishan, with music composed by Shankar Jaikishan.
Who are the lead actors in 'Nakhrewaalii'?
The film introduces newcomers Ansh Duggal and Pragati Srivastava as its lead pair. It is their debut, making the heritage soundtrack a key marketing anchor for the production.
Why did Aanand L. Rai choose this particular song for the film?
Rai said the song felt like it 'belonged' the moment the concept of 'Nakhrewaalii' came together. He described Kishore Kumar's voice as 'truly eternal' and expressed hope that younger audiences would connect with the reimagined version as strongly as earlier generations did with the original.
