Yami Gautam Dhar on National Film Award: ‘There Is a Distinct Sense of Added Responsibility’ Ahead of Nayyi Navelli

Yami Gautam Dhar is stepping into a new phase of her career with her upcoming film ‘Nayyi Navelli’, and the actor says winning the National Film Award has brought with it an even stronger sense of responsibility. Yami, along with Addinath Kothare, director Balaji Mohan, Aanand L. Rai, Himanshu Sharma, Sonal Jha, Mita Vashisth and other members of the team, attended the film’s trailer launch in Mumbai. During her interaction with the media, Yami was asked whether the prestigious honour, which she received for her work, would change the way she approaches her films and whether it puts additional responsibility on her shoulders.

Yami responded candidly, saying, “I would say yes; I certainly feel that sense of responsibility even more now. As an actor, I have always sought out roles that not only interest me personally but also appeal to the audience within me—roles that offer something original. As I’ve said before, it’s not about judging what is 'good' or 'bad'; it really comes down to whether the project excites me enough to show up every day and pour every second—every cell of my body—into that moment. And it’s not just about the artistic aspect; it’s about being a team player. That’s it. Just a member of the team—someone dedicated to the process of making the film. That’s all there is to it.”

The actor went on to explain just how significant the National Film Award feels to her, describing it as a major honour and a genuine validation for artists working across languages and formats in India. Yami said, “I think the National Film Award is a truly massive honor; it represents a genuine validation for any artist—across all languages ​​and formats—in our country. I accept it with deep humility. I would be lying if I said nothing has changed; there is a distinct sense of added responsibility resting on me as an artist and an actor. It drives me to push myself further, work even harder, and strive to earn the love and respect you have all so generously bestowed upon someone like me—someone who came from a small town and made it this far. Yet, I still feel there is a long, long way to go. There is so much left for me to learn and experience. Sorry, I think I’ve answered three questions at once, but I suppose that’s one of my USPs.”

The candid response offered a glimpse into Yami’s approach to choosing projects, where the excitement of discovering something original appears to be as important as the recognition that comes with a successful film or award. That philosophy now comes into focus with ‘Nayyi Navelli’, in which Yami plays Mohini, a newly married woman who enters the Awasthi family and finds herself at the centre of an increasingly mysterious chain of events. What initially appears to be a story about a new bride settling into her new home gradually takes a supernatural turn, blending family drama, humour, mystery and action.

Directed by Balaji Mohan and written by Himanshu Sharma and Divy Nidhi Sharma, Nayyi Navelli is produced by Aanand L. Rai and Himanshu Sharma under Colour Yellow Productions, in collaboration with Amazon MGM Studios. The film features an ensemble cast including Addinath Kothare, Sonal Jha, Mita Vashisth and others. The trailer has already given audiences a glimpse of Yami in a different avatar, with Mohini’s seemingly perfect new-bride persona slowly surrounded by questions about her character and the secrets she may be hiding.

Nayyi Navelli is gearing up for its theatrical release on October 16, 2026, bringing its mix of family chaos, humour and supernatural mystery to cinemas. For Yami, the film arrives at an important point in her journey, following the recognition of the National Film Award and her renewed determination to keep challenging herself as an artist. If her comments at the trailer launch are anything to go by, the award may have added to the expectations, but Yami remains focused on the same thing she has always valued—the process, the character and giving every bit of herself to the film.

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