The wellness industry is getting a horror makeover. Namaslay, the upcoming independent horror satire from director duo Rish and Kanish Arhant-Sudhir, is set to hit theaters in August 2026. The film takes a sharp, blood-soaked look at the commercialization and cultural appropriation of yoga in the West, wrapping its social commentary in the vibrant, genre-blending tradition of Indian masala cinema.
Marking the first feature from Junghal Studios, the independent production company the directing duo founded in 2019, Namaslay has already generated significant buzz following the release of its teaser trailer. The film promises a pyroclastic, genre-smashing experience that eviscerates the appropriation of Yoga in the West—proving culture is the blood that keeps the dead alive.
What is Namaslay About? The Plot Explained
The story centers on Gayatri, played by Kirunthuja Srikanth-Talim (known for Under the Bridge), a young woman who has just arrived in Los Angeles. She accepts an invitation from her friend Judy to try an upscale yoga studio that Judy has been eager to attend. The studio’s owner, Reyna (played by Christina Moore), offers Gayatri a chance to join her elite instructor training program. Despite noticing some obvious eccentricities, Gayatri decides to look past them and accept the job.
As Gayatri reconnects with the authentic yoga practice she first learned from her grandmother, she is eventually invited to a prestigious instructor’s retreat. However, once there, she discovers the true, sinister nature of her invitation. What initially seemed like a glamorous opportunity to reconnect with her heritage quickly turns into a terrifying confrontation with a dark supernatural force hidden beneath the studio’s polished exterior.
The Cast of Namaslay
The film features a talented ensemble cast led by Kirunthuja Srikanth-Talim as Gayatri. She is joined by Alicia Mitchell-Mangual (known for WeCrashed), who plays Malika, a yoga instructor-in-training who forms a vital friendship with Gayatri. Angela Sant’Albano (from The Nevers) also stars, alongside Usha Krishnan, Christina Moore, and others.
Mitchell-Mangual shared her connection to her character:
“Malika’s courage and vulnerability immediately resonated with me. Even when she’s afraid, she chooses to protect the people she cares about. I hope audiences connect with her strength, wittiness, and heart.”
Namaslay Worldwide Release Date and Time
Namaslay will have a theatrical release in the United States. The film opens exclusively in AMC Theatres in New York and Los Angeles on August 6, 2026. It will then expand to a nationwide release on August 13, 2026. The movie has a running time of 1 hour and 52 minutes.
Currently, the release is scheduled for the U.S. market. Information regarding international release dates in other countries, such as the UK, Canada, or India, has not been widely announced yet. The film is distributed by Junghal Studios and is an independent production.
Where to Watch Namaslay
As of now, Namaslay is scheduled for an exclusive theatrical release. This means it will not be available on streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime, or HBO Max at the time of its initial launch. To watch the film, audiences will need to purchase tickets and see it in a movie theater. Tickets are available through major ticket vendors like Atom Tickets and at AMC Theatres. The film will initially be shown in select theaters in New York and Los Angeles starting August 6, before expanding nationwide on August 13.
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Why You Should Watch Namaslay
Namaslay is more than just a horror movie; it is a cultural conversation piece. The film is a reimagining of masala cinema, a genre that originated in 1970s Indian cinema and is famous for blending action, comedy, drama, romance, and musical numbers into a single, maximalist spectacle. The directors, Rish and Kanish, use this framework to create a film that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.
The movie was born from personal experiences. The filmmakers’ mother, a yoga practitioner and teacher, was pressured to dilute her authentic teachings to make them more palatable to Western audiences. Their father was turned away from a yoga class for wearing the “wrong” attire. These experiences, combined with the observation of what they call the “yoga-industrial complex,” fueled the creation of a film that directly confronts cultural appropriation.
“We felt that the disturbing nature of cultural appropriation could not just be explained in words,” the directors explain. “It had to be felt through music, cinematography, costume, makeup, visual effects, and performance. Only film can do that.”
The directors describe the tone of the film through the word “masala.”
“In that medley of flavors, a new identity is born, greater than the sum of its parts.”
If you are looking for a film that combines sharp social satire with horror, comedy, and supernatural spectacle, Namaslay offers a unique cinematic experience. It holds a mirror to the wellness industry while delivering the thrills and chills of a classic horror movie.
Also Read: Prisoners of Paradise (2026): Release Date, Where to Watch and Why You Should See It
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