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Nollywood & Bollywood mash-up promises an unforgettable experience

Hamisha Daryani Ahuja, Image: Instagram The world’s biggest movie industries Bollywood and Nollywood have joined forces to produce a new inter-cultural love story that promises viewers lots of ‘laughter and a few tears.’  

The movie titled 'Namaste Wahala' is directed by businesswoman-turned-filmmaker, Hamisha Daryani Ahuja. The film brings to life a tale of two diverse and rich cultures between an Indian and Nigerian families. 

'Namaste Wahala' loosely translates to 'Hello trouble' and is an English movie with a mix of Hindi and Nigeria’s pidgin languages.

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Presenting Namaste Wahala. A story with a lot of laughter and a few tears about love and family. This project is very close to my heart as it's my first movie and it's also the first movie ever that brings together Nollywood and Bollywood. I am grateful to all the extraordinary cast and crew that helped me make this project a reality. Releasing April 24, 2020!!! #namastewahala #director #directorsdiaries #comingsoon #incinemaapril #westafrica @mofedamijo @ajokesilva @saileshahuja @thegoodlifeliving @mi_abaga @brodashaggi @filmoneng @inidimaokojie @ruslaanmumtaz @segalsujata @adaora.lumina @ibrahimsuleimanofficial @callme_frodd @imoheboh @officialosas @aneeicha @officiallyk10 @mexemania @blackcoffeeandsmoke @tiencepay @adella_makeup @props_store_rental @maybaykar @rahilraja13 @yolandaokereke @cindyokafor_ @ediboy_kuf @mrphisha @djsuketu @precisionmadamfixit @femi_swayy @ndu_vera @uche_favoured @barnyee @wale_astro @doubletapevents @orchestrasound @piusfatoke @tolulopeoludapo @mrphisha @bj_picture @donl37 @tees_hairmpire @writersinkconcepts

A post shared by Hamisha Daryani Ahuja(@hamishadaryaniahuja) on Feb 17, 2020 at 10:01am PST

The producer of the movie lived most of her childhood life in Nigeria and says she is inspired by the west African nation in making her debut film.

"I am Indian but I have lived in Nigeria my whole life. Everyone loves Bollywood and Nollywood, so I thought 'how is it that no one has done a love story between the two?'" she told CNN.

Now in her 30s, Ahuja says she decided to fuse her experiences from both cultures to create a love story that people can relate to.

The movie is set to be released in April and features some of the biggest stars from both countries.

Some of the actors who will be playing in the movie are Nollywood veteran actress Joke Silva, Richard Mofe Damijo and Segal Sujata, Ini-Dima Okojie and Ruslaan Mumtaz.

A wedding in both countries becomes a colourful affair that can cost anything between  $13 515 and $50 billion, according to Vogue Business.

In the storyline, the producer has fused the two countries' wedding industries and showcases a celebration between both cultures.

"The story has been in my head for a long time but I wanted it to be completely accurate. I wanted both cultures to be portrayed the same, that no culture was above the other," Ahuja said.

The movie was shot in the West African nation’s nerve centre of Abuja and features classic Bollywood dancing. She adds that the story its “a fun comedy, a lot of laughs with a few tears."

Social Media reacts to 'Namaste Wahala'

Nigerians have taken to social media to express their excitement about the upcoming movie release.

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