Namaste Wahala is one of those movies where the idea behind the film is probably more exciting than the film itself. An Indian man falling in love with a Nigerian woman in Lagos already gives us enough room know that there will be culture clashes, family expectations, humour and the kind of drama that comes when two very different worlds are forced to meet.
Raj played by Ruslaan Mumtaz is an Indian investment banker who meets Didi played by Ini Dima-Okojie, a Nigerian lawyer and social worker. Their relationship develops quickly, and before long, marriage becomes the conversation but getting two people to fall in love is apparently the easy part.
The real problem started when their families find out. Didi's father, Ernest which was played by Richard Mofe-Damijo, is not exactly excited about his daughter marrying an Indian man. He already has Somto played by Ibrahim Suleiman, a Nigerian lawyer who is interested in Didi and fits much better into the future he has imagined for her.
Then Raj's mother, Meera played by Sujata Sehgal, arrives with her own expectations. She is uncomfortable with her son choosing a Nigerian woman and has very particular ideas about the kind of wife he should have including one who can make the Indian meals he loves and this is where I think the movie had something genuinely interesting to explore.
It wasn't just about an interracial relationship but it was about how parents sometimes confuse what they believe is best for their children with what their children actually want.
Didi was not portrayed as someone simply waiting for her parents to approve her relationship. Her character and role shows an ambitious, outspoken and determined lady who make her own decisions. Her relationship with her father also added another layer to the story because his resistance isn't only about Raj but also about his expectations for his daughter's life.
The cultural differences provide some of the lighter moments, especially when both families begin trying to understand each other's traditions. The cooking competition between Didi and Meera is one of those scenes that was clearly designed for comedy, while Didi's friends, particularly Leila (Hamisha Daryani Ahuja) and Angie (Anee Icha), added their own energy to the story.
I also liked that the film brought Nollywood and Bollywood together without trying to completely make one culture look superior to the other. You get bits of Nigerian and Indian culture, language, food, fashion and family dynamics.
However, the execution could have been much better. The relationship between Raj and Didi developed so quickly that it becomes difficult to feel the depth of their love. Some of the dialogue felt forced, and certain scenes lean so heavily into Bollywood-style romance that they became so predictable. Even some potentially emotional moments were interrupted before they have enough time to actually land.
Still, I wouldn't completely dismiss it. For a first Indo-Nigerian romantic collaboration, Namaste Wahala deserves credit for attempting something different and bringing two film cultures together. The 2020 Netflix movie directed by Hamisha Daryani Ahuja, features a strong supporting cast including Joke Silva, Osas Ighodaro, Koye Kekere Ekun and Ibrahim Suleiman.
It may not be the great cross-cultural love story it could have been, but it is still a light, colourful watch with a familiar question underneath all the romance.
One thing actually stayed in my mind by the end of the movie on how much of our children's happiness can we be willing to sacrifice for the future we have already planned for them.
I'll be dropping my 🖊️ here on the movie review.
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All images are for the movie
Rating: 85/100
