Hi Nanna

''Hi Nanna'' is a 2023 Indian Telugu-language romantic drama film directed by Shouryuv, in his directoral debut, and produced by Vyra Entertainments. The film stars Nani and Mrunal Thakur in lead roles alongside Kiara Khanna, Jayaram and Priyadarshi Pulikonda. The music is composed by Hesham Abdul Wahab.

The plot follows six-year-old Mahi, a girl battling cystic fibrosis, who lives with her loving father, Viraj. Her quest to learn about her absent mother leads to a chance encounter with Yashna, a woman unknowingly connected to her past, unraveling a heartfelt story of lost memories, love, and destiny.

''Hi Nanna was'' released on 7 December 2023, where it received highly positive reviews from audience and critics. The film was applauded for its direction, screenplay, cast performances, and music. It became a commercial success at the box office.

Plot

Six-year-old Mahi lives in Mumbai with her father Viraj, grandfather, and their pet dog, Pluto. Mahi suffers from cystic fibrosis, and Viraj, a successful fashion photographer, dedicates his life to caring for her. Whenever Mahi asks about her absent mother, Viraj avoids the topic. Upset by his silence, Mahi runs away from home with Pluto. They are saved from an accident by Yashna, a kind woman. At Mahi’s request, Yashna invites Viraj to a restaurant, where she and Mahi convince him to tell the story of her mother, "Varsha." To make it easier for Mahi to imagine, Yashna pretends to be Varsha.

Viraj recounts how, ten years ago, he met Varsha, a woman disillusioned by her parents’ divorce, in Coonoor. Over time, Varsha overcame her fears and married Viraj despite her mother’s objections. Though they struggled financially, they were happy. When Viraj’s career took off, he wanted a child, and Varsha, initially hesitant, agreed. However, their joy turned to sorrow when their daughter, Mahi, was born with a fatal illness. Devastated, Varsha blamed Viraj and regretted their marriage. Mahi, upset by the story, asks Viraj to stop. Privately, Yashna, visibly emotional, urges him to finish. Viraj reveals that shortly after Varsha’s breakdown, they met with a car accident.

In a twist, it’s revealed that Yashna is Varsha herself. She survived the accident but developed amnesia, forgetting her past, marriage, and child. Her mother lied to Viraj, claiming Varsha wanted a divorce, and forced him to stay away. Viraj, crushed but loving, raised Mahi alone. Pluto recognizing Yashna led to their reunion, though Viraj tried to keep the truth hidden to protect them both. Meanwhile, Yashna was engaged to Dr. Aravind, the neurosurgeon who had once treated her.

Hoping to avoid pain, Viraj took Mahi and Pluto to Goa. However, Mahi secretly invited Yashna, and they reconnected. Yashna found herself naturally drawn to Viraj and Mahi, even falling in love with Viraj again. On her wedding day, after learning the truth from Yashna's mother, Mahi was devastated. Later, Yashna’s estranged father revealed to her that Viraj had raised Mahi selflessly and that they were still meant to be together.

Yashna abandoned her wedding and rushed to the hospital where Mahi, after a sudden health crisis, was fighting for her life. Supported by Aravind and his medical team, Mahi was operated on. Before the surgery, Yashna promised Mahi she would stay and teach her a song. The movie ends with a grown-up, healthy Mahi singing onstage the song taught to her by her mother, symbolizing the family’s reunion and the enduring power of love and destiny.

Cast

Production

Development

On January 1, 2023, Vyra Entertainment announced their maiden production film, with Nani and Mrunal Thakur as cast and debut director Shouryuv, music and background score composer Hesham Abdul Wahab, cinematographer Sanu Varghese, editor Praveen Anthony, and art director Jothish Shankar as crew. It was tentatively titled ''Nani 30''. The film marks Thakur's second Telugu film after ''Sita Ramam'' (2022). In late March, Angad Bedi was announced as being a part of the cast in his debut Telugu film. In late April, it was reported that Shruti Haasan was going to be a part of the cast. On July 13 July, the title ''Hi Nanna'' was revealed. Nani reportedly received as remuneration.

Filming

Principal photography began in February 2023, with the first schedule in Hyderabad. The second schedule commenced in Mumbai. The schedule was concluded by May 31. The third schedule was filmed in Ramoji Film City. Thakur wrapped up her portions for the schedule by July 27. The fourth schedule commenced on September 2 September in Coonoor. The schedule reportedly featured a song sequence.

Music

The music and background score is composed by Hesham Abdul Wahab in his maiden collaboration with Shouryuv and Nani. The audio rights were acquired by T-Series. The tracks "Samayama", "Gaaju Bomma", "Ammadi", "Odiyamma," and "Idhe Idhe" were released as singles before the full 10-song album on 18 December 2023. Wahab re-recorded the film's background score using artificial intelligence thereby becoming the first Indian film to do so.

Release

Theatrical

''Hi Nanna'' had a worldwide theatrical release on 7 December 2023, along with dubbed versions in Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada and Hindi. The film was initially scheduled to release on 21 December 2023, but was later moved to 7 December 2023 in order to avoid clash with '' Salaar'' and '' Dunki''.

Home media

The digital streaming and satellite rights of the film were sold for to Netflix. The film was made available on Netflix in January 2024 in Telugu, along with dubbed versions of Tamil, Hindi (Hi Papa), Kannada and Malayalam.

Reception

Critical response

Paul Nicodemus of ''The Times of India'' gave it 3.5/5 stars and wrote, "''Hi Nanna is'' a must-watch for those seeking a blend of heart and soul in cinema." Raghu Bandi of ''The Indian Express'' gave it 3/5 stars and wrote "Nani and Mrunal Thakur star in a high-emotion drama that will remind you of actor's ''Jersey''."

Neeshitha Nyayapati of ''Hindustan Times'' wrote, "Shouryuv’s debut film is an emotional drama that’ll tug at your heart, both with its performances and storyline." Sangeetha Devi Dundoo of ''The Hindu'' wrote, "Shouryuv’s drama is a breather amid larger-than-life action entertainers." Ram Venkat Srikar of ''Film Companion'' wrote "Hi Nanna makes up for its weaker parts with some super strong emotional moments and even after not being convinced with it in certain aspects, it's a story that's largely satisfying on the emotional level."

Accolades

Notes

References

External links

* {{IMDb title, tt25433734

2023 romantic drama films
2020s Indian films
2020s Telugu-language films
Films about photographers
Indian romantic drama films
Indian nonlinear narrative films