Released in December 2023, Hi Nanna (transl. 'Hey, Dad') emerged as one of Telugu cinema's most poignant and critically acclaimed dramas of the year. Directed by Shouryuv in his debut, the film stars Natural Star Nani, alongside Mrunal Thakur and child actor Kiara Khanna. Unlike typical commercial potboilers, Hi Nanna is a tender, emotionally layered story that prioritizes character relationships over larger-than-life action, earning it a devoted fanbase and strong word-of-mouth success.
If there is a spiritual successor to Sita Ramam’s album, it is Hi Nanna. Hesham Abdul Wahab doesn’t just write songs; he writes emotional arcs.
The background score is equally powerful. The "Father-Daughter Theme" is a simple piano melody that plays during the Hi Nanna moments—when Mahi returns home from school or hugs her dad. By the end of the film, that simple piano key will trigger instant tears.
The story centers on Viraj (Nani), a single father and a successful fashion photographer living in the picturesque hill station of Coonoor, Tamil Nadu. He devotes his entire life to his six-year-old daughter, Mahi (Kiara Khanna), who suffers from a chronic respiratory condition—cystic fibrosis. Mahi is curious and precocious, but one thing haunts her: she has never seen her mother. Viraj evades her questions, until Mahi falls severely ill and makes a heartfelt birthday wish—to know the story of how her parents met.
To fulfill her wish, Viraj narrates a fairy-tale-like flashback. He recalls meeting Yashna (Mrunal Thakur), a spirited, independent medical student in Mumbai. Their whirlwind romance—full of playful banter, beach dates, and emotional intimacy—seems perfect. However, the fairy tale takes a tragic turn: Yashna left Viraj without explanation, just as Mahi was born. As the present-day story unfolds, Viraj’s past catches up when he encounters a mysterious woman (also played by Mrunal Thakur) who bears a striking resemblance to Yashna but claims to have no memory of him. The film then unravels the truth about Yashna’s departure, exploring themes of sacrifice, memory, and the meaning of family. Hi Nanna
Director Shouryuv and cinematographer Sanu John Varghese (known for Kumbalangi Nights) understood a critical rule of cinema: Location is character.
The film is set against the misty, blue-green landscapes of Coonoor and Ooty. Unlike the neon-lit streets of typical urban dramas, Hi Nanna breathes. There are extended shots of tea estates, vintage Jeep drives, and rain-soaked balconies. This visual aesthetic creates a lullaby effect in the first half, making the emotional carnage of the second half hit ten times harder.
The color palette shifts subtly from warm, golden hues (when Viraj is with Yashna) to desaturated, cold blues (when he is alone in the present). This isn't just a movie; it's a visual poem about memory loss.
"Hi Nanna" (translated as "Hi Dad") is a 2023 Indian Telugu-language romantic drama that captured the hearts of audiences with its emotional depth, stunning visuals, and tender storytelling. Starring Natural Star Nani and Mrunal Thakur, the film stands out as a mature, feel-good cinematic experience. Hi Nanna: A Heartfelt Exploration of Modern Parenthood
Here is everything you need to know about the film.
Nani has often been called the "Natural Star," but Hi Nanna might be his career-best performance. He plays Viraj with a volcanic restraint. Watch the scene where he looks at his daughter while she sleeps, knowing that the past is destroying him inside. Nani doesn’t weep loudly; his eyes well up, his jaw clenches, and you feel his suffocation. He balances the cool, stylish photographer with the vulnerability of a man who is terrified of being a bad father.
Hi Nanna is not merely a film; it is an emotional experience. Director Shouryuv proves that debutants can handle complex, non-linear narratives with confidence. By tackling themes of single parenthood, memory, and sacrificial love without resorting to clichés, the film offers a refreshing addition to Indian cinema. For anyone seeking a heartfelt story that celebrates the quiet heroism of a father’s love, Hi Nanna is unmissable.
Final Verdict: A tender, visually poetic, and brilliantly acted family drama that lingers long after the credits roll. ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) "Samayama" : The romantic anthem
Hi Nanna (2023) is a critically acclaimed Telugu-language drama centered on a single father's devotion to his daughter, blending themes of memory, love, and resilience. Featuring standout performances from Nani, Mrunal Thakur, and Kiara Khanna, the film is praised for its emotional depth and technical brilliance. More information is available on the IMDb website.
'Hi Nanna' Ending Explained & Movie Summary: Did Aravind Save Mahi?
In an era where Indian cinema is often dominated by high-octane action spectacles and larger-than-life masala entertainers, a quiet storm swept through the box office in December 2023. That storm was titled Hi Nanna.
Directed by the debutant Shouryuv, Hi Nanna (transl. "Hey, Dad") starring Natural Star Nani, Mrunal Thakur, and the child prodigy Kiara Khanna, did not rely on gravity-defying stunts or violent confrontations. Instead, it weaponized something far more potent: raw, unadulterated emotion. Within weeks of its release, the phrase Hi Nanna transformed from a simple greeting into a cultural catchphrase, synonymous with heartbreak, beautiful cinematography, and the nuanced pain of a father-daughter relationship.
But what made Hi Nanna resonate so deeply with audiences across India? Why is this film being hailed as a turning point for contemporary Telugu cinema? Let’s break down the magic, the music, and the mastery behind this modern classic.
Search trends for Hi Nanna exploded post-release, and not just in South India. The film found a massive audience among Hindi-speaking belts due to its emotional universality. Here is why the keyword holds so much weight: