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Namaste Wahala

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Namaste Wahala
Promotional poster
Directed byHamisha Daryani Ahuja
Written byHamisha Daryani Ahuja
Screenplay byDiche Enuwa
Temitope Bolade-Akinbode
Produced byHamisha Daryani Ahuja
Starring
Production
company
Forever 7 Entertainment
Distributed byNetflix
Release dates
  • 1 December 2020 (2020-12-01) (Nigeria)
  • 14 February 2021 (2021-02-14) (Netflix)
Running time
106 minutes
CountryNigeria
LanguagesEnglish
Hindi
Nigerian Pidgin

Namaste Wahala (transl. Hello Trouble) is a 2020 Nigerian cross-cultural romantic comedy film produced, written and directed by Hamisha Daryani Ahuja on her directorial debut. The film stars Ini Dima-Okojie and Ruslaan Mumtaz in the lead roles. This film was hailed as the first major collaboration between Bollywood and Nollywood which are two of the biggest film industries in the world.[1][2][3] The film is based on romantic relationship between an Indian boy and a Nigerian girl despite coming from completely different backgrounds and cultures. It had limited theatrical release in Nigeria on 1 December 2020 and opened to positive reviews from critics. The film was globally streamed via Netflix on 14 February 2021 coinciding with the Valentine's Day and received mixed reviews from critics.[4][5][6][7]

Synopsis

Raj (Ruslaan Mumtaz), an Indian-born investment banker based in Lagos, falls in love with Didi, (Ini Dima-Okojie), a Nigerian lawyer with her friend Leila's (Hamisha Daryani Ahuja) women's NGO. The couple attempt to keep their relationship under wraps as Didi's father, Ernest, (Richard Mofe-Damijo) prefers his employee Somto (Ibrahim Suleiman) as a suitor for his daughter. He also disapproves of Didi's commitment to the NGO as opposed to focusing solely on working at his powerful law firm. After dating for three months, Raj introduces himself to Didi's family who are shocked to discover he is Indian, as Didi had not informed them beforehand.

Didi seeks justice for fellow NGO worker Jane (Imoh Eboh) after the latter is physically assaulted by Raymond (Chukwuemeka Okoye), the son of the law firm's major client, and refuses to drop the case when Ernest reminds her of his business ties with Raymond's family, choosing to resign from her father's firm instead. Raymond is represented by Preemo (Osas Ighodaro), Didi's scheming nemesis who constantly taunts her rival's latest love interest and legal background. Raymond denies having attacked Jane, claiming she had attempted to murder him in a hotel corridor instead. Unfortunately the only proof leading to Jane's innocence has disappeared mysteriously, as Preemo has destroyed the CCTV footage. Didi is furious, and after accusing Ernest of choosing monetary gain over moral principles she leaves the family home for Raj's apartment.

Raj's mother Meera (Sujata Sehgal) has arranged for her son to marry another woman from his home country, but is horrified upon meeting Didi during a visit to Nigeria, and is against the relationship due to their cultural differences. [8] Although Meera reluctantly agrees to stay in Raj's apartment with her son and his girlfriend she remains hostile towards Didi, resulting in several clashes between the two including a comical incident involving Raj who is torn between Meera's home-cooked Indian meal and Didi's instant Indomie noodles, but Didi refuses to be intimidated.

Didi's mother, Shola, (Joke Silva), longs for Didi to return the family home, and chides her equally-stubborn husband for refusing to appease their daughter's ego. After Didi's other friend Angie (Anee Icha) reveals her whereabouts, Shola storms into Raj's apartment where a war of words ensues between the two mothers, although both women disapprove of their children cohabiting. Shola leaves with Didi, but the latter continues to pine for Raj, who is still determined to marry his one true love.

Determined to acquire evidence proving Jane's innocence, Didi returns to the hotel where she asks the hotel manager for help. He remains uncooperative at first, but after discovering she is Raj's girlfriend he directs her to the security staff who send her CCTV footage of Jane's attack. Realising Jane was telling the truth, Ernest agrees to Didi's demand that Raymond pay an out-of-court settlement, and fires Preemo for tampering with evidence in an ongoing court case.

Shola tries to discourage Didi from marrying Raj, claiming her in-laws would never truly accept her until Didi reminds her of her own inter-tribal marriage (Shola and Ernest are Igbo and Yoruba respectively), and how her parents persevered despite opposition from both their families. Meera is still opposed to Didi, believing she would never adjust to Indian culture, but Didi's friend Leila - who is also Raj's cousin - assures her Nigerian and Indian women are alike, preserving their values and maintaining households whilst pursuing careers. Meera is won over with this revelation, and she pays a visit to Didi's parent's house laden with gifts. Ernest still regards Somto as an appropriate son-in-law as he wants him to take over his firm after he's gone, but Meera replies his smart and hardworking daughter is all he needs.

Cast

Production

The film project was announced as a debut directorial venture by Indian-Nigerian businesswoman turned filmmaker Hamisha Daryani Ahuja. Despite being an Indian, she lived and spent her whole life in Nigeria since her childhood and in an interview with CNN she revealed that she wanted to make a film combining the elements of both Bollywood and Nollywood film industries. Hamisha used her own personal experience living in Nigeria in order to make a love story between the two giant film industries.[3] In addition to her directorial credits, she also landed a supporting role herself in the film and also eventually made her film acting debut.[9]

Although it was touted as the first major collaboration between Bollywood and Nollywood, it became the second film after J. U. D. E. (2017), where both film industries joined hands together in the production. The portions of the film were entirely shot in Lagos, Nigeria, with the script predominantly in English, along with Hindi and Nigerian Pidgin.[10] The production team had more than 60 individuals across India and Nigeria. The post-production of the film was also completed just before the lockdowns owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.[11]

The official announcement regarding the film was revealed in February 2020 via a first look poster released by the film director in her Instagram account and it soon rose to the reputation as one of the most hyped highly anticipated film releases in Nigeria.[12][13]

Release

The theatrical release of the film was initially supposed to be on 24 April 2020 but the theatrical release was later pushed back to October 2020 due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.[14][15][16][17] The film again postponed for theatrical release on 1 December 2020 and had a low profile theatrical release in Nigeria with limited seating capacity.[18] Netflix unveiled the trailer for the film on 31 January 2021 and confirmed that it would release as a global Netflix original on 14 February 2021.[19][20][21]

Critical reception

Times of India rated the film 2.5 out of 5 stars stating that the film is just an average rom-com film with an Indo-Nigerian twist.[7]

Soundtrack

Namaste Wahala Soundtrack
Soundtrack album by
Various artists
Released15 February 2021
GenreEDM, Afrobeats
Length19:53
LabelNamaste Wahala

The soundtrack to the film was released digital for streaming, and downloads on 15 February 2021.[22] Featuring Seyi Shay, Lavita, Hamisha Daryani-Ahuja, Nanya Ijeh, M.I Abaga, DJ Suketu, and Amos Kantiok.[23]

  1. "Namaste Wahala" – Seyi Shay, and Lavita (3:16)
  2. "Pursuing Happiness" – Hamisha Daryani-Ahuja, Nanya Ijeh, M.I Abaga (4:26)
  3. "I Don't Want To Let You Go" - DJ Suketu (3:05)
  4. "Heartbreak Song" - Nanya Ijeh (2:45)
  5. "Namaste Wahala (Remix)" - Amos Kantiok (3:24)
  6. "Namaste Wahala (Remix - Engagement Party)" - DJ Suketu (2:54)

References

  1. ^ "'Namaste Wahala': 5 things you need to know to about this Indian-Nigerian love story". Pulse Nigeria. 27 February 2020. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
  2. ^ Augoye, Jayne (20 February 2020). "Nigeria: Bollywood Partners Nollywood in New Movie 'Namaste Wahala'". allAfrica.com. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
  3. ^ a b Aisha Salaudeen. "Bollywood and Nollywood collide in a tale of a big fat Indian-Nigerian wedding". CNN. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
  4. ^ "Ruslaan Mumtaz-starrer Namaste Wahala to release on Netflix". The Indian Express. 8 February 2021. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
  5. ^ "Interracial rom-com 'Namaste Wahala' is coming to Netflix this Valentine's Day". www.iol.co.za. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
  6. ^ "'Namaste Wahala' to premiere on Netflix as an original". Pulse Nigeria. 25 January 2021. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
  7. ^ a b Namaste Wahala Review: An average rom-com with an Indo-Nigerian twist, retrieved 15 February 2021
  8. ^ Scroll Staff. "'Namaste Wahala' review: Parents are the villains in Indo-Nigerian romance". Scroll.in. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  9. ^ "Ahuja's debut film 'Namaste Wahala' is a tale of cross-cultural love affair". www.gulftoday.ae. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  10. ^ "Nollywood meets Bollywood in Netflix rom-com Namaste Wahala". The Indian Express. 13 February 2021. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  11. ^ Chile, Nneka (13 February 2021). "Nollywood meets Bollywood in love tale 'Namaste Wahala'". Reuters. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  12. ^ "Highly anticipated Bollywood-Nigerian collaboration, "Namaste Wahala" to be released soon!". Pulse Nigeria. 17 January 2021. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
  13. ^ "Namaste Wahala film wey Nollywood/Bollywood collabo do dey totori fans". BBC News Pidgin. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
  14. ^ editor (3 April 2020). "COVID 19 Halts Namaste Wahala". THISDAYLIVE. Retrieved 12 February 2021. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  15. ^ "Namaste Wahala to hit cinemas in April - Bollywood/Nollywood". Latest Nigeria News, Nigerian Newspapers, Politics. 26 February 2020. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
  16. ^ "PHOTOS: Bollywood partners Nollywood in new movie 'Namaste Wahala'". 19 February 2020. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
  17. ^ "Producer of Nollywood & Bollywood film ' Namaste Wahala' extend release date due to coronavirus". Pulse Nigeria. 18 March 2020. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
  18. ^ "Full list of Nollywood movies hitting cinemas post coronavirus". Pulse Nigeria. 21 May 2020. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
  19. ^ "Here's the official trailer for 'Namaste Wahala' starring Ini Dima-Okojie, Ruslaan Mumtaz". Pulse Nigeria. 1 February 2021. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
  20. ^ "'Namaste Wahala' Trailer Video: Ini Dima Okojie and Ruslaan Mumtaz starrer 'Namaste Wahala' Official Trailer Video". timesofindia.indiatimes.com. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
  21. ^ "The cultural fiesta Namaste Wahala is coming to Netflix!". The cultural fiesta Namaste Wahala is coming to Netflix!. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
  22. ^ "Namaste Wahala soundtrack: Here's a list of songs to add to your wedding playlist". Republic World. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
  23. ^ "Namaste Wahala Movie Songs (Soundtrack)". RehabMusik. 17 February 2021. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
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