Nakhrewaalii Review: 2h 30m of a Predictable Love Story

Nakhrewaalii arrives with the kind of hook that has powered many Bollywood comedies: a man enters a woman’s world to win her heart. Directed by Rahul Shanklya and written by Divy Nidhi Sharma, the film follows Sumit Mishra, played by Ansh Duggal, who falls for Paridhi, played by Pragathi Srivasthava. When his usual plans fail, Sumit creates Sumita, a female identity, to get closer to her.

The film is now in theatres with a runtime of 2 hours 30 minutes. That is a long time for a comedy, and the length becomes a problem here because the script does not find enough fresh turns to fill it.

A premise with potential

The idea is genuinely usable. A man cross-dressing to understand the woman he loves can create both farce and a little social commentary about gender roles. The review notes that the actors try to bring energy. Ansh Duggal works hard to separate Sumit and Sumita, and Pragathi Srivasthava is convincing as Paridhi.

But effort cannot fix weak writing. The screenplay is described as vague and predictable, with situations that land before they begin. The humour feels repeated rather than surprising, and the central romance never develops enough emotional depth to make the characters’ decisions matter.

The technical side does not rescue it either. The review points out that the editing could have been tighter and the background score does little to elevate the experience.

The Dream Girl shadow

For most Bollywood viewers, the immediate reference will be Ayushmann Khurrana’s Dream Girl. That comparison is not lazy shorthand; it is the film’s biggest hurdle. The review says Nakhrewaalii steps into the same space but without the same comic timing or sharp writing.

In a high-concept rom-com, the premise is only the opening move. The story then needs escalating complications, a believable emotional core and jokes that change as the disguise causes new problems. Nakhrewaalii has the opening move but not the follow-up.

Should you buy the ticket?

If you are a fan of the cast, the performances may give you something to appreciate. Ansh Duggal’s sincerity is visible, and Akash Makhija as Jhaadi gets a few light moments. Kumud Mishra and Gopal Datt are dependable in support.

But as an entertainment package, the film does not hold together. Here is the quick read:

• The premise is interesting but underdeveloped
• The situations feel predictable and the humour forced
• The 2 hours 30 minutes runtime weakens pacing
• The Dream Girl comparison is easy to make and hard to survive

The review’s verdict is blunt: Nakhrewaalii needed a warmer emotional core, funnier material and a fresher plot to stand out in a familiar genre. Unless the idea alone is enough to pull you in, this is one love story that may struggle to keep you invested.

Source: Bollywood Bubble

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