Namaste Wahala (2021) User Reviews

Watchable

[woooz · 5/10 · 20 February 2021]

The film has its moments and the bones to be a good romcom.

The attempt to address racism and to merge Bolly- and Nollywood was commendable but the acting, the dialogue, the storyline all could have been slicker.

Very apt

[dansaspice · 6/10 · 23 February 2021]

I appreciated the integration of the races as well as the integration of the cultures and lifestyles. The reality of how most parents and families react towards interracial marriage was well captured. The chat between the director"Leela" and Raj's mum pointed at things people should consider before allowing differences in race and culture to consume our thoughts. It could have been a bit more profound though. Loved the behind the scenes, the mix of races dancing and bonding was lovely. This movie should be projected in communities where there is racial divide. Congrats to the cast and crew.

Absolute Trash. 1985 Bollywood called, they want their script back.

[TreeFiddy53 · 2/10 · 19 February 2021]

Take out the Nigeria/India culture part away (there nothing enlightening in the movie about either cultures to begin with) and it is absolute trash. The hero and heroine bump into each other while jogging in slow-mo at the beach, and fall in love. 1985 Bollywood called, they want their script back. Or, think of a movie that Karan Johar would produce, only make it hella cheesy and bad. The director (Indian, who apparently grew up in Nigeria all her life, also cameos in the movie) only seems to have overplayed all sorts of stereotypes, at least the Indian ones for sure. The Nigerian family isn't okay with an Indian groom, the Indian family isn't okay with a Nigerian wife. The director lady shows up and says "People from other cultures are epic too" and all the parents are okay with it? Like "I'm depressed" Friend: "Don't be". Me: "Oh wow! My depression is gone! Thank you so much!" It's like she decided to make a movie around that one line and didn't care how bad it was as long as the line made it in. The dialogue between the mothers was cringe-worthy. Failed opportunity for Women's Empowerment: The movie shows the Nigerian dad is upset that his daughter can't (?) look after his law firm and wants her to marry a Nigerian lawyer dude who'll take care of it. The daughter then solves newbie case, with some evidence (that a 15 yr-old would know to get) that her boyfriend requests from another dude because they're bros. So she's bad lawyer to begin with? You could have shown her do the job, but no! Had to get the dudes involved. And then, towards the end, you go on to say how epic of a lawyer she is based on this one case and how she should her dad's law firm? The other villain lady was a better fit to run the company IMO All that said and done, there's FINALLY a cultural exchange between the Indian mom and the Nigerian dad. Indian mom, supposedly progressive, asks for Dowry, "Pay me because my son married your daughter" she says. A woman, in 2021, asking for dowry - in a movie supposedly about cultural learning and feminism. WTH? The dad says "No you're supposed to pay me because you're taking my daughter away" The director, also a woman, couldn't find ANYTHING else to show from both the cultures? *smh* I can go on but that would be a waste of time. Was hoping to learn more about Nigeria and that people would learn about India. But noooo. Trash movie.

Where do I begin?

[Munzhedzi777 · 1/10 · 16 February 2021]

Okay, from the onset, the movie was a disaster. The script is awful, the directing is awful and the actors a so awful. You can use the 2 hours to do something better. Netflix really just be funding any script this days.

Worst ever movie- future cult classic?!

[armstrongd_uk · 1/10 · 14 March 2021]

My Indian wife and I managed around 20 minutes before giving up....definitely the most utterly ludicrous film either of us have ever seen. Embarrassed laughter throughout from the first moments. Just dreadful, awful, trash....why on earth was this ever made?! But who knows....maybe this is SO bad that it just might become some kind of cult classic!!

Something new

[rish2006 · 7/10 · 22 February 2021]

Despite seeing its low rating - I think, Namaste Wahala definitely deserves a 1 time watch for being something new and different. It's not the best produced by Netflix but still worthy to watch.

It says this was shot in a month. It looks it!

[pinky_scotty · 2/10 · 3 October 2021]

Cheesier than Disney; badly made. It looks like it was made it a month for sure and was the best at being mediocre.

The only reason i wanted to watch this is I loved the premise of inter-racial romance and the dynamics of the relationship. And i was excited to see a Nollywood movie. I think this is an important story to be told but let down by bad writing and mediocre actors. It felt like i was watching a soap opera and found myself rolling my eyes multiple times

Having watched other romcom Netflix Originals and grown up on Bollywood movies, i wasnt really expecting much.

It felt so forced and artificial. You could "see" the actors acting. First sign of a mediocre performance.

The worse was the script, it felt it was written by a student writer. The dialogues were contrived and very artificial.

There was NO CHEMISTRY with any cast members, it seemed like the entire thing was forced and not organic at all.

Wish they had a better writer and performers. Such an awkward movie! I wasn't expecting an Oscar level movie or performance, just your generic Hallmark level expectations, but this was sooo bad.

I'm however interested to see more Nollywood movies to compare to this. I hope they're far superior.

Indian-Afrika story, new and refressing, unfornutally bad story and acting.

[blue_roosje · 7/10 · 14 March 2021]

Bollywood has always been obsessed with white people. There was even a time that with every bollywood song you see white european people dancing on the background. So, Namaste Wahala (not bollywood) is as far as i know the first romance movie between africa and indian. the romance story is very weak and bad Acting. I think the director is new and we need to give her the chance and time to grow. I am sure in the future she will make better movies. i think they should make more indian-africa movies! I have Indian roots and my best friend/sister has African roots.

Wow

[iamnauta · 3/10 · 23 February 2021]

What a world class acting, absolutely just wow, there are no words to explain, I literally cringed. Talk about the acting though, the story script, it's something out of this world. The ambience of the movie seems fine.

Love it!

[caddywanks · 10/10 · 23 February 2021]

I love the movie, the actors , the director etc.... Everyone absolutely made it great with their acting skill

Anyone who finds it bad doesn't clearly know a good movie, and possibly can't relate with our cultures.... But a good movie is a good movie anywhere..... Clearly must be a hater ... My rating 10/10

Nice cross-country movie

[oz-onigbanjo · 7/10 · 15 February 2021]

The only thing that I don't like about this movie is the way there was little or no interaction with the Nigerian or Indian environment.

Beautiful romantic movie.

Absolute No!

[aa-29064 · 1/10 · 20 February 2021]

The story is one of the most cliché storylines from late 80s and early 90s nonsensical rom-coms which made absolutely no sense whatsoever. The only fresh content is portrayal of Black community in a better light in Indian movies which unfortunately they have never done so far. Rest is all "interracial marriage" and "family in between romance" drama. Do a favour to yourself and don't watch it.

Can a movie be bad, but important?

[daysky · 13 April 2021]

Ok, this movie wasn't a "great." There was a low budget feel, the acting and script were mediocre. Yet, interracial and intercultural romances, especially with non-European leads, need to be told. So, there wasn't a great love story here... you didn't fall in love with the characters because they were shallow; there were definite plot flaws (like why a character would take a certain opportunity offered at the end of the movie when it didn't correspond with previously stated goals and ideals.) The dancing was incredibly poor (serious actors take classes and study the art form to look at least passably convincing or hire a body double). But at least someone represented an intercultural love story, perhaps opened the way for discussion, understanding, curiosity, interest, between people of different backgrounds. So, I support this movie... and I'll forget about it entirely in a few days and never think of it again.

Worst

[abhishekarmarkar · 1/10 · 26 February 2021]

It is like pig's potty. Time waste. Useless comedy. Unlogical concept.

Do not waste your time on this

[melissanascimentomarinho · 2/10 · 9 May 2021]

This has got to be the worst movie I have ever seen, the whole plot premise is not so bad in itself, but the script is sooo lazy the movie could've had lasted just 30 minutes, maybe that way it wouldn't be so damn boring. Not only does the plot fail to grip the viewer's attention, but the acting is the poorest, most unconvincing ever, so while the lead actress cried, I couldn't help but laught at how terrible her acting was. So my review boils down to this: if you want to watch a decent movie, just skip this one up.

Too bad it's good type kinda

[Rosyglow · 2/10 · 24 January 2023]

Out of work bollywood actor gets nollywood movie offer, and here we are. Now it's not a secret how nollywood movies are, but that's part of the charm. Nollywood movies are jam packed with clichés and I love them . This movie is no different. But there was nothing much to it. Very similar to wedding party. Still worth a watch if you would like to support multicultural mergers . The lady who made the movie puts herself and her husband in the movie , her husband can't act to save his life. Edits and cuts and acting is very nollywood, if you know what I mean. Overall give it a go. I'm typing because i need to fill the word count.

Cozy Val's day flick

[sprezzacreations · 7/10 · 9 March 2021]

Impressive & funny how they portrayed both cultures. I was entertained all through! Clean cut production.

There is no zero to add as rating

[istoselida · 1/10 · 6 February 2022]

By far the cheapest production and worst movie I have ever seen.

I will not try to say mistakes This is a childish production elementary school level.

Good message, poorly executed

[MoreAir · 2/10 · 3 June 2021]

The message of this movie was very good, however it was poorly poorly executed. The acting was very bad, I mean really bad. The plot was beyond cliché, and the movie was an overall mess. I'd skip this movie unless you have nothing else to watch.

Heartwarming, good natured film

[sarojahsathivelu · 10/10 · 14 February 2021]

Appreciated the message about the universality of love and the way the film goes on to show the value of the protagonist in a professional, moral capacity as well as a her beauty. There were funny characters, and overall it was a feel-good, uplifting film. It would benefit from more screen time of the central couple but this was to flesh out the side plot and give time to the other family dynamics, so overall not a bad shift in the balance.

Better than Bollywood!

[setu_imdb · 10/10 · 20 February 2021]

I don't know on what basis people have given this movie such a low rating but believe me after a long time I've a watched such a good, cute, clean and better than Bollywood movie. Good job Nollywood. Keep it up. It gets 10/10 from me.

A must watch

[catchtheaman · 9/10 · 7 April 2021]

The movie was amazing, its a must watch. If you want to pass time quickly watch this. I love the taxi scene, it is my favourite.

A fun-filled rollercoaster of emotions

[markjpatel · 9/10 · 19 February 2021]

If you're an open-minded, hopeless romantic, you'll definitely enjoy watching this movie. I thought that the lead characters had great chemistry and the supporting cast delivered fine performances as well. It was interesting to see the clash of cultures exposed and finally resolved amicably. There's plenty of humour, drama and tense moments to hold your interest. Certainly makes my favourite list.

Woefully underrated....and it deserves to be seen.

[planktonrules · 8/10 · 19 October 2021]

"Namaste Wahala" is a very good film....and I wonder WHY it has a paltry rating of only 5.1 on IMDB. I just do not understand it. I have my theories...but don't want to get into conjecture. What I do know is that it's a lovely film...one that really hit me emotionally...and it's DEFINITELY a film to watch with a box of Kleenex nearby.

The story is filmed in Nigeria and it's about a very beautiful couple that you are bound to like. But there is a major obstacle in their way. Didi (Ini Dima Okojie) is Nigerian and Raj (Ruslaan Mumtaz) is Indian...and the film is about the uphill battle they both face with their parents. In both cases, the parents simply don't want their children marrying someone who isn't one of 'their people'.

In addition to this plot, there's a shocking subplot involving a friend of Didi who is assaulted by a brute of a man. And, since Didi is a lawyer, she's representing her friend in a lawsuit against the jerk. But, it turns out, her father and his law firm are representing the brutal jerk! This, combined with the ethnic/racial differences make life tough for Didi...as well as Raj.

As I watched the film, I think it was written well because the problems the couple face are things that can be blamed on everyone involved. Neither Raj nor Didi prepared their families for the prospect of a new in-law of a totally different background. And, as for the parents, it's obvious that they need to learn to look beyond race and ethinicity...and their own prejudices. It also seems to say that it's best to trust your beloved family...as in the end, they will usually do the right thing....so don't give up.

All in all, it's a very sweet and interesting film...one that didn't seem too heavy-handed or obvious...and one I recommend strongly. It's a good romance but it has plenty for everyone...if they give it a chance.

Charming and unusual in its cultural mix

[wbeeman · 8/10 · 21 February 2021]

I have never seen a Nigerian-Indian rom-com. There is Nollywood (Nigerian Hollywood) and Bollywood (Bombay Hollywood) and this movie is a hybrid mashup of the two. Yes, it is a bit corny. Yes basically it is formulaic. Yes, the acting is a bit outdated. But the charm is seeing the clash of two cultures that one never sees being contrasted in the movies in an engaging story. The rom-com formula is there, but the comic clashes are unique. They kept me laughing throughout. This is the world as it is becoming, folks. And it is refreshing and charming to see it. I was thoroughly delighted to see this cross-cultural confection. Brava to the director (who also plays a pivotal role in the movie). Above all it made me want to visit Lagos. This is a preview of a world I want to live in. If Nigerians and Indians can overcome their cultural differences, so can we all.