Highlights:
Bollywood actor Yami Gautam Dhar has said securing a solo theatrical release has become increasingly difficult, as her film Nayyi Navelli arrived in cinemas a day after Rajinikanth’s Jailer 2.
In a post on X, Gautam thanked audiences for giving her film a chance and acknowledged the challenges of releasing a film amid competition from other major titles. Nayyi Navelli released on October 16, while Jailer 2 arrived in theatres on October 15.
Gautam was responding to a social media user who praised Nayyi Navelli but suggested its release timing alongside the Rajinikanth-starrer was not ideal.
“Nowadays to get a solo or just 2 films release window is difficult. It's very difficult to make a successful film today, hence I appreciate everyone's effort to have done their best :) And I couldn't be more grateful to audience for giving us a chance (sic),” she wrote.
The actor also expressed her admiration for Rajinikanth, describing herself as a fan of the veteran star and saying she considered the release overlap an honour.
“Having said that, just like millions of people I am also a huge Rajni sir fan. It was indeed an honour for me to have my small film release along with sir's, which I am myself looking forward to watch soon (sic),” Gautam added.
Directed by Tamil filmmaker Balaji Mohan, Nayyi Navelli marks his Hindi-language debut. Gautam plays Mohini, a woman suspected of being a daayan, or witch, by her new in-laws. The film also stars Addinath M Kothare, Anurag Thakur, Sunita Rajwar, Mita Vasisth, Aaditya Kulshreshth, Susmita Mukherjee and Prateek Pachori.
Meanwhile, Jailer 2, directed by Nelson Dilipkumar, continues the story of Rajinikanth's character, Tiger Muthuvel Pandian, as he takes on a larger idol-smuggling syndicate linked to the gang he defeated in the 2023 film Jailer.
The release overlap highlights the challenge films can face in securing a favourable theatrical window, particularly when competing with a major star-led release.
