Nakhrewaalii: Ansh Duggal and Pragati Srivastava debut in 'womantic comedy', out 30 Oct
Synopsis
Two first-time leads, a first-time director, and a genre tag Bollywood hasn't quite used before — 'womantic comedy'. With Aanand L. Rai and Jio Studios backing 'Nakhrewaalii', the 30 October 2026 release is a calculated bet on fresh faces and a female-first twist on the classic rom-com, arriving in one of the year's most competitive theatrical windows.
Key Takeaways
Nakhrewaalii stars debutants Ansh Duggal and Pragati Srivastava and releases on 30 October 2026 .
The film is billed as a 'womantic comedy' , centring the female perspective on love and reversing traditional relationship roles.
Directed by debutant Rahul Shanklya and written by Divy Nidhi Sharma .
Produced by Jio Studios and Colour Yellow Productions , led by Aanand L.
Rai and Himanshu Sharma .
The film reportedly addresses social themes including women's safety and gendered expectations in relationships.
Newcomers Ansh Duggal and Pragati Srivastava are set to make their big-screen debut with 'Nakhrewaalii', a self-described 'womantic comedy' that promises to flip the script on traditional romantic roles. Produced by Jio Studios and Colour Yellow Productions, the film is scheduled to release in cinemas on 30 October 2026.
A Fresh Genre Tag: What Is a 'Womantic Comedy'?
The film markets itself as a 'womantic comedy' — a play on the romantic comedy format that centres the woman's perspective on love and relationships. Its quirky poster carries the tagline 'Kabhi Kabhi Pyaar Mein Majnu Ko Bhi Laila Banna Padta Hai', hinting at a playful inversion of traditional gender roles in romance. Beyond laughs, the film reportedly touches on social issues including women's safety and the conventional expectations that shape modern relationships.
The Creative Team Behind the Film
The film is directed by Rahul Shanklya in his directorial debut and written by Divy Nidhi Sharma. It is produced under the banner of Jio Studios and Colour Yellow Productions, the latter led by acclaimed filmmaker Aanand L. Rai and writer-producer Himanshu Sharma — a pairing known for emotionally resonant, rooted storytelling.
Star Debuts and Early Buzz
Both leads are making their feature film debuts with 'Nakhrewaalii'. Back in 2023, Jio Studios had released a short teaser announcing the project, captioned: 'Anokhi kahaani ki anokhi taiyyari! Aane wali hai #Nakhrewaalii ki baari', introducing Duggal as their 'newest heartthrob'. Speaking about the opportunity at the time, Ansh Duggal described the experience as 'a dream come true', expressing gratitude at working with Aanand L. Rai and director Shanklya. A full trailer is expected to offer deeper insight into the characters and the film's approach to gender and romance.
What to Watch For
With Aanand L. Rai's track record of launching newcomers in emotionally driven narratives — from 'Tanu Weds Manu' to 'Nil Battey Sannata' — audience and trade attention will be on whether 'Nakhrewaalii' can carve out a distinct identity in an increasingly crowded Hindi rom-com space. The 30 October 2026 release puts it squarely in the pre-Diwali theatrical window, typically competitive for mid-budget entertainers.
Point of View
But the film will need to deliver on its social-commentary promise without losing the light touch that makes rom-coms work. Jio Studios' growing theatrical slate suggests this is a volume play as much as an auteur one — the real measure will be whether the genre novelty translates into opening-weekend footfalls or merely into social media curiosity.
NationPress
12 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Nakhrewaalii and when does it release?
Nakhrewaalii is an upcoming Hindi film starring debutants Ansh Duggal and Pragati Srivastava, produced by Jio Studios and Colour Yellow Productions. It is scheduled to release in cinemas on 30 October 2026.
What is a 'womantic comedy'?
'Womantic comedy' is the genre tag coined for Nakhrewaalii, referring to a romantic comedy told from the woman's perspective, with traditional relationship roles reversed. The film uses this framing to explore gender equality and modern love.
Who is directing and producing Nakhrewaalii?
The film is directed by Rahul Shanklya in his directorial debut and written by Divy Nidhi Sharma. It is produced by Jio Studios and Colour Yellow Productions, led by filmmaker Aanand L. Rai and producer Himanshu Sharma.
What social themes does Nakhrewaalii address?
Beyond romance and humour, the film reportedly explores women's safety and the traditional beliefs and expectations that shape relationships, giving it a social commentary dimension alongside its comedy.
When was Nakhrewaalii first announced?
Jio Studios released a short teaser in 2023 introducing Ansh Duggal as their 'newest heartthrob' and announcing that filming had begun on Nakhrewaalii under the Colour Yellow Productions banner.
