Hi Nanna was released on 7 December 2023 and received positive reviews from critics. It became a commercial success at the box office.[3]
Plot
Viraj is a famous fashion photographer with his own studio in Mumbai with his six-year-old daughter Mahi, with cystic fibrosis. Curious about her mother, Mahi earns her story's promise if she tops her class. Viraj delays, causing a rift. Mahi goes missing but is saved by Yashna. Both Yashna and Mahi force Viraj to tell the story of Varsha. Viraj recalls falling in love with Varsha in Coonoor. They marry, but Varsha's aversion to parenthood due to her parents failed relationship and divorce, strains their relationship. Mahi's birth reveals her cystic fibrosis, leading to further strain and regret from Varsha for marrying Viraj and conceiving Mahi. The couple gets into an accident while arguing.
After the accident erases Varsha's memories, Her mother makes Viraj leave her along with Mahi. Then it is revealed that Varsha is none other than Yashna, and Viraj has narrated the story with her name as Varsha to throw her off the scent. Mahi's and Yashna's bond starts to strengthen, and Viraj, sensing this, decides to go on an impromptu trip to Goa. Yashna plans Mahi's birthday in Goa, uncovering Viraj's forgetfulness. As a result, fights and emotional sequences result. Mahi, Pluto, Viraj, and Yashna share a fleeting but cherished moment together.
As Yashna's wedding approaches, Mahi yearns for Yashna's promised surprise. But, unfortunately, before the wedding, Mahi gets cystic fibrosis problems and is rushed to a nearby hospital. But, the doctors say that she has very little survival chance to Viraj, which makes him tense. During the wedding, Yashna's father calls it off, which causes a conflict to ensue, and talks to Yashna about Viraj's problem. Then, Yashna rushes to the hospital to see Viraj and Mahi. Mahi is currently needing a lung transplant to save and protect her. Yashna's fiancée knows about the problem and understands it, so he and his family and friends do an operation to save Mahi, which makes Viraj surprised and tensed. Mahi's surgery is done successfully and she survives. Viraj and Yashna reconcile and reunite after. The film ends with a grown-up Mahi after a few years surviving the surgery, singing a song about her life, and the audience happily applauds her.
Shruti Haasan in a cameo appearance as a model in the song "Odiyamma"
Production
Development
On 1 January 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 as Nani 30.[4] The film marks Thakur's second Telugu film after Sita Ramam (2022).[5] In late March, Angad Bedi was announced being a part of the cast in his debut Telugu film.[6] In late April, it was reported that Shruti Haasan was going be a part of the cast.[7] On 13 July, the title Hi Nanna was revealed.[8] Nani reportedly received ₹22 crore (US$2.6 million) as remuneration.[9]
Filming
Principal photography began in February 2023, with the first schedule in Hyderabad. The second schedule commenced in Mumbai.[5] The schedule concluded by 31 May.[10] The third schedule was filmed in Ramoji Film City. Thakur wrapped up her portions for the schedule by 27 July.[11] The fourth schedule commenced on 2 September in Coonoor. The schedule reportedly featured a song sequence.[12]
The music and background score is composed by Hesham Abdul Wahab, in his maiden collaboration with Shouryuv and Nani.[4] The audio rights were acquired by T-Series.[13] The first single "Samayama" was released on 16 September 2023,[14] and the second single "Gaaju Bomma" on 6 October.[15]
Hi Nanna had a worldwide theatrical release on 7 December 2023, along with dubbed versions in Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada and Hindi languages.[16] The film was initially scheduled to release on 21 December 2023, but later moved to 7 December 2023 in order to avoid clash with Salaar and Dunki.[17]
Reception
Critical response
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 100% based on 6 reviews, with an average score of 6.7/10.[18]
Paul Nicodemus of The Times of India gave 3.5/5 stars and wrote "Hi Nanna a must-watch for those seeking a blend of heart and soul in cinema."[19] Raghu Bandi of The Indian Express gave 3/5 stars and wrote "Nani and Mrunal Thakur star in a high-emotion drama that will remind you of actor's Jersey."[20] Avad Mohammed of OTTplay gave 2.5/5 stars and wrote "Hi Nanna is a routine and slow-paced family drama that works in the last half an hour."[21]NTV gave 2/5 stars and wrote "In trying to tell it like a fairytale, director faltered in finding the emotional cog that connects with universal audience, uniformly. Hence, movie remains a preference for those who like candyfloss entertainers on a regular basis, at best with issues."[22]
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."[23] Sangeetha Devi Dundoo of The Hindu wrote "Shouryuv’s drama is a breather amid larger-than-life action entertainers."[24] 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."[25]
