Nakhrewaalii: Ansh Duggal and Pragati Srivastava Lead a Contemporary Bollywood Rom-Com
Romance, humour and changing ideas about gender roles come together in Nakhrewaalii, an upcoming Bollywood romantic comedy starring Ansh Duggal and Pragati Srivastava. Directed by Rahul Shanklya and written by Divy Nidhi Sharma, the film is scheduled to open in cinemas on October 30, 2026.
Described by its makers as a “Womantic Comedy,” Nakhrewaalii aims to bring a fresh perspective to familiar romantic-comedy territory. Its story is expected to explore how expectations between men and women shape relationships, while using humour and romance to make those ideas accessible to a broad audience.
A Poster That Turns Traditional Romance on Its Head
The first poster offers an early clue to the film’s playful approach. It carries the line, “Kabhi Kabhi Pyaar Mein Majnu Ko Bhi Laila Banna Padta Hai”—a cheeky suggestion that, in love, even the traditional “Majnu” may have to take on the role usually associated with “Laila.”
The reference draws on one of South Asia’s best-known tragic love stories, but gives its familiar characters a contemporary twist. Rather than treating romantic pursuit and vulnerability as roles belonging to one gender, the tagline hints at a relationship in which expectations can shift. It sets up a central question for the film: what happens when people stop following the conventional script for love?
For now, the poster establishes the tone rather than revealing the full plot. Audiences will have to wait for the trailer to learn more about the lead characters, their relationship and the situations that bring comedy—and potentially more serious conversations—into their story.
Romance Meets Conversations About Gender and Safety
According to the film’s early description, Nakhrewaalii will look beyond courtship to consider the social norms that influence modern relationships. Themes include gender equality, women’s safety and the assumptions people carry into romantic partnerships. These subjects are increasingly part of public discussion, particularly as audiences seek stories that reflect the pressures and choices of contemporary life.
The film is positioned to blend those themes with entertainment rather than separate them from the romantic-comedy format. That balance can give a story room to be light-hearted while still recognising that relationships are shaped by larger questions of respect, agency and personal boundaries. The challenge will be to make those ideas feel natural within the characters’ lives—and the film’s humour—rather than simply presenting them as a message.
Its “Womantic Comedy” label signals an effort to put women’s perspectives and changing gender dynamics closer to the centre of a genre that has often relied on familiar romantic formulas. Whether through role reversals, misunderstandings or moments of emotional honesty, the film’s premise offers scope to examine how both partners navigate expectations.
New Leads and a Debut Behind the Camera
Ansh Duggal and Pragati Srivastava headline the film, bringing two emerging performers into a story built around its central couple. Their on-screen chemistry will be an important part of the film’s appeal, especially in a romantic comedy where humour, emotional connection and timing all need to work together.
Nakhrewaalii also marks Rahul Shanklya’s directorial debut. Divy Nidhi Sharma is credited as the writer, while the project is produced by Jio Studios and Colour Yellow, the production banner associated with Aanand L Rai and Himanshu Sharma. The combination of a new director, a fresh lead pairing and an established production team gives the film a distinct place among upcoming Bollywood releases.
In a previously shared account of the casting process, Aanand L Rai spoke about discovering Duggal and Srivastava and feeling they were right for the roles. The casting will be of particular interest as audiences get their first extended look at the pair in the forthcoming trailer.
What to Expect Before the October 2026 Release
The poster is the first public glimpse of the film’s identity, but it leaves key details under wraps. The trailer is expected to provide a clearer sense of the plot, the characters’ personalities and how the movie intends to combine its comic moments with its social themes. It should also reveal whether the tagline points to a specific role reversal or serves as a broader statement about equality in relationships.
With its focus on love, social expectations and shifting ideas about gender, Nakhrewaalii is aiming to offer more than a conventional courtship story. Its success will depend on how convincingly it brings those elements together—and whether its characters feel relatable as well as entertaining.
For Bollywood audiences looking for a romantic comedy with a contemporary perspective, the film is one to watch as more details emerge. Nakhrewaalii, starring Ansh Duggal and Pragati Srivastava, is scheduled to release in theatres on October 30, 2026.
