Nikhil Madhok Reveals What Amazon MGM Studios Looks for Before Greenlighting Films: ‘We Aim to Back Highly Differentiated Scripts’

Amazon MGM Studios is steadily expanding its presence in the Indian theatrical space, and according to Nikhil Madhok, the company’s approach to greenlighting projects goes beyond simply looking for mass appeal. During the trailer launch of ‘Nayyi Navelli’ in Mumbai, Madhok, Director and Head of Originals (SVOD) for India at Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios, spoke about the factors that influence the studio’s decision to back a film. With the platform strengthening its theatrical slate, he explained that distinctive storytelling rooted in the Indian context and the filmmaker’s passion for the project are both crucial.

Asked whether Amazon MGM Studios primarily looks for broad audience appeal when deciding which theatrical projects to back, Nikhil said, “Thank you for the question. I think there are two fundamental factors. One is that, at Amazon MGM Studios, we aim to back highly differentiated scripts—stories that are deeply rooted in the Indian context; that is important. But I think when you are listening to a narration, it really comes down to the person on the other side and the passion with which they want to make the film. That passion came through loud and clear to us when Anand L. Rai, Himanshu, and Nidhi narrated the script. It was evident that this was a story we needed to back.”

Nikhil further explained that the strength of a script alone is not the only thing that matters when a project is being considered. For him, the filmmaker’s conviction and belief in the story can make a major difference. He added, “So, I think it’s a combination of a unique script and—equally important—the passion the filmmaker brings to us and their level of belief in the project. In this instance, we really hit the jackpot, so we are very happy with it.” His comments offer an insight into why Nayyi Navelli stood out to the studio, particularly with its unusual mix of family drama, humour, fantasy and horror.

Nayyi Navelli, also spelled Nayi Naveli, stars Yami Gautam Dhar in the lead role as Mohini, a picture-perfect new bride who enters a wonderfully chaotic household in Meerut. Her arrival initially appears to transform the family’s life, bringing happiness, harmony and a sense of order that makes everyone fall for their seemingly ideal new daughter-in-law. But the mood changes when Mohini’s suspicious brother-in-law starts noticing strange occurrences and begins questioning whether this perfect bride could actually be a Daayan, a supernatural being hiding behind her charming appearance.

The film marks the Bollywood directorial debut of Tamil filmmaker Balaji Mohan and is jointly produced by Amazon MGM Studios and Colour Yellow Productions, led by Aanand L. Rai and Himanshu Sharma. The story combines the familiarity of a chaotic family setup with supernatural mystery, giving Yami an opportunity to explore a character that gradually reveals a more intriguing side. The trailer has already highlighted the film’s distinctive tone, moving between humour, family dynamics, mystery and horror while keeping the question of Mohini’s true identity at the heart of the story.

Nayyi Navelli is scheduled to arrive in cinemas across India on October 16, 2026, coinciding with the Dussehra festival. As Amazon MGM Studios continues to build its theatrical slate, Nikhil Madhok’s comments make it clear that the studio is looking beyond conventional formulas, with differentiated Indian stories and strong creative conviction forming an important part of its approach. For Nayyi Navelli, that combination has brought together Yami Gautam Dhar, Balaji Mohan, Aanand L. Rai and Himanshu Sharma for a supernatural family entertainer that is now ready to meet audiences on the big screen.