Pragati Srivastava is stepping into Hindi cinema with a film that already has attention: Aanand L Rai’s Nakhrewaalii. A report from Filmibeat traces her journey from Ayodhya, Jamshedpur and Delhi to Bombay, and explains how one audition turned into a leading role.
According to the report, the audition caught the attention of Aanand L Rai, who saw “an honest performer” in Srivastava and decided to give her the lead in Nakhrewaalii.
Why the Aanand L Rai connection matters
Rai has built a reputation for putting emotionally rooted characters at the centre of his films, often choosing performers who fit the world of the story rather than chasing a known face. Backing a newcomer for a title role suggests Nakhrewaalii is being shaped with a similar emphasis on performance and conviction.
For Srivastava, the debut gives her an immediate place in the conversation. A first film with a filmmaker known for strong storytelling is a meaningful calling card, especially when the same announcement brings two more projects with it.
One audition, three titles
The Filmibeat report says Srivastava’s slate includes three projects:
- Nakhrewaalii — her debut feature, directed by Aanand L Rai.
- A political drama with Prakash Jha — a project the report says will explore unseen shades of her as an actor.
- Jaan Hai Tu Meri — a title under Maddock Films.
Together, the projects place her across very different kinds of filmmaking: the rooted drama of Rai, the political space associated with Jha, and the broader commercial machinery of Maddock Films. That is an unusually busy slate for a newcomer whose first film has not yet released.
For readers who follow debut announcements, the detail to note is not just the film but the combination of banners. Rai, Jha and Maddock Films each occupy a different corner of the business, and being placed with all three at once is a stronger start than a solo debut.
What to watch next
The report does not list a release date for Nakhrewaalii. The next meaningful update will be the first material from the film — a poster, teaser or trailer — which will show how much of the film is built around its new leading lady.
For now, the story is simple: one audition, three projects, and a debut that gives Bollywood a fresh name to track.
Source: Filmibeat