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Hi Nanna

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Hi Nanna
Theatrical release poster
Directed byShouryuv
Screenplay byShouryuv
Bhanu Dheeraj Rayudu
Vasanth Sameer Pinnamaraju
Story byShouryuv
Dialogues byNagendra Kasi
Vamshi Bommena
Produced byMohan Cherukuri (CVM)
Dr. Vijender Reddy Teegala
Murthy K. S.
Starring
CinematographySanu Varghese
Edited byPraveen Anthony
Music byHesham Abdul Wahab
Production
company
Vyra Entertainments
Release date
  • 7 December 2023 (2023-12-07)
Running time
155 minutes[1]
CountryIndia
LanguageTelugu
Budget₹65 crore[2]
Box office₹75.35 crore[3]

Hi Nanna (transl. Hi Father) 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.[4][5] The film was applauded for its direction, screenplay, cast performances, and music. It became a superhit at the box office.[6][7]

Plot

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Six-year-old Mahi lives in Mumbai with her father Viraj, a successful fashion photographer, her grandfather, and their pet dog, Pluto. Mahi has cystic fibrosis, a fatal genetic condition, and Viraj dedicates his life to her demanding medical care. Whenever Mahi inquires about her absent mother, Viraj avoids the topic. Upset by his evasion, Mahi runs away from home with Pluto. A woman named Yashna rescues them from a potential traffic accident. At Mahi's pleading, Yashna invites Viraj to a restaurant, where she and Mahi convince him to tell the story of Mahi's mother, Varsha. To make the story easier for herself, Mahi imagines Yashna as Varsha as Viraj narrates the story.

A young Viraj meets Varsha in Coonoor. Disillusioned by her parents' bitter divorce, Varsha is initially closed off to love, but she eventually overcomes her fears and marries Viraj despite her mother's fierce objections. Though they initially struggle financially, they are happy. As Viraj's photography career takes off, he expresses a desire for a child. A hesitant Varsha eventually agrees, but their joy turns to profound sorrow when Mahi is born with a chronic illness. Devastated, Varsha suffers a breakdown, blames Viraj for the situation, and openly regrets their marriage. Hearing this, an upset Mahi asks her father to stop the story. Privately, a visibly emotional Yashna urges Viraj to finish. Viraj then reveals that shortly after Varsha's breakdown, the couple met with a severe car accident, leading Yashna to assume Varsha died in the crash.

In a plot twist, it is revealed that Yashna is actually Varsha. She survived the car crash but developed retrograde amnesia, completely forgetting her past, her marriage, and her child. Her manipulative mother lied to Viraj, claiming Yashna wanted a divorce and hated him, while forcing Viraj to stay away under the pretense that any reminders of his family would further traumatize her daughter. Crushed but deeply loving, Viraj chose to raise Mahi alone. Pluto's earlier recognition of Yashna was what initially led to their chance reunion. To shield Yashna from the trauma of her forgotten past, Viraj altered key details during his restaurant narration, such as changing Yashna's sister into a brother. Meanwhile, Yashna is currently engaged to Dr. Aravind, the neurosurgeon who treated her after the accident.

Hoping to avoid further emotional complications, Viraj abruptly takes Mahi and Pluto to Goa. However, Mahi secretly invites Yashna, and the three reconnect. Yashna finds herself instinctively drawn to Viraj and Mahi, eventually falling in love with Viraj all over again. On Yashna's wedding day to Aravind, Mahi learns the truth about Yashna from the latter's mother, who warns her to stay away from her.

Doubting the narrative that Viraj's wife would willingly walk away from her family, Yashna abandons her wedding ceremony. She rushes to the hospital where Mahi, having suffered a sudden health crisis, is fighting for her life. Later, Mahi's grandfather, who is actually Yashna's estranged father confronts his wife, pointing out that Viraj raised Mahi selflessly and asserting that Viraj and Yashna belong together. Supported by Aravind and his medical team, the doctors prepare Mahi for emergency lung surgery. Before the operation, Yashna promises Mahi that she will stay by her side to teach her a song. As she bonds with Viraj, Yashna wishes that she had been the one to meet him in Coonoor and become Mahi's mother, completely contrasting the regret she expressed before her amnesia. A flash-forward reveals a grown-up, healthy Mahi singing onstage the very song taught to her by Yashna, confirming the surgery's success and symbolising the permanent reunion of the family.

Cast

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Production

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Development

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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 Nani 30.[8] The film marks Thakur's second Telugu film after Sita Ramam (2022).[9] In late March, Angad Bedi was announced as being a part of the cast in his debut Telugu film.[10] In late April, it was reported that Shruti Haasan was going to be a part of the cast.[11] On 13 July, the title Hi Nanna was revealed.[12] Nani reportedly received ₹22 crore (US$2.3 million) as remuneration.[13]

Filming

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Principal photography began in February 2023, with the first schedule in Hyderabad. The second schedule commenced in Mumbai.[9] The schedule was concluded by 31 May.[14] The third schedule was filmed in Ramoji Film City. Thakur wrapped up her portions for the schedule by 27 July.[15] The fourth schedule commenced on 2 September in Coonoor. The schedule reportedly featured a song sequence.[16]

Music

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The music and background score is composed by Hesham Abdul Wahab in his maiden collaboration with Shouryuv and Nani.[8] The audio rights were acquired by T-Series.[17] The tracks "Samayama",[18] "Gaaju Bomma",[19] "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 possibly the first Indian film to do so.[20] The BGM "Silent Conversations" is based on Raga Reethigowla, and became a huge hit too.

Release

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Theatrical

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Hi Nanna had a worldwide theatrical release on 7 December 2023, along with dubbed versions in Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada and Hindi.[21] 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.[22]

Home media

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The digital streaming and satellite rights of the film were sold for ₹37 crore (US$3.8 million) to Netflix.[23] The film was made available on Netflix in January 2024 in Telugu, along with dubbed versions of Tamil, Hindi (Hi Papa), Kannada and Malayalam.[24] It released along with the movie Extra Ordinary Man.

Reception

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Critical response

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Hi Nanna received highly positive reviews from critics. The film was applauded for its direction, screenplay, cast performances, and music. On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 100% of 7 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 6.7/10.[25]

Deccan Herald gave the film 4/5 stars describing it as "an endearing tale of love and resilience", while also praising its cinematography, music and fresh take on storytelling.[26] 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."[27] 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."[28]

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."[29] Sangeetha Devi Dundoo of The Hindu wrote, "Shouryuv’s drama is a breather amid larger-than-life action entertainers."[30] 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."[31]

Accolades

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Award[a] Date of ceremony[b] Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
Filmfare Awards South 3 August 2024 Best Film – Telugu Mohan Cherukuri, Murthy K. S. and Vijender Reddy Teegala Nominated [32][33][34]
Best Director – Telugu Shouryuv Nominated
Best Actor – Telugu Nani Nominated
Best Actress – Telugu Mrunal Thakur Nominated
Best Music Director – Telugu Hesham Abdul Wahab Nominated
Best Lyricist – Telugu Anantha Sriram ("Gaaju Bomma") Nominated
Best Male Playback Singer – Telugu Anurag Kulkarni ("Samayama") Nominated
Best Female Playback Singer – Telugu Chinmayi Sripaada ("Odiyamma") Nominated
Shakthisree Gopalan ("Ammaadi") Nominated
Best Debut Director Shouryuv Won
South Indian International Movie Awards 14 September 2024 Best Film – Telugu Mohan Cherukuri, Murthy K. S. and Vijender Reddy Teegala Nominated [35][36]
Best Actress – Telugu Mrunal Thakur Nominated
Best Actress Critics - Telugu Won
Best Supporting Actor – Telugu Angad Bedi Nominated
Best Supporting Actress – Telugu Kiara Khanna Won
Best Debut Director – Telugu Shouryuv Won
Best Debut Producer – Telugu Mohan Cherukuri, Murthy K. S. and Vijender Reddy Teegala Won
Best Music Director – Telugu Hesham Abdul Wahab Won
Best Lyricist – Telugu Krishna Kanth ("Adigaa") Nominated
Best Male Playback Singer – Telugu Anurag Kulkarni ("Samayama") Nominated
Best Female Playback Singer – Telugu Shakthisree Gopalan ("Ammaadi") Won
IIFA Utsavam 27 September 2024 Best Actress – Telugu Mrunal Thakur Won [37]
Best Music Director – Telugu Hesham Abdul Wahab Won [37]

Notes

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  1. ↑ Awards, festivals and organizations are in alphabetical order.
  2. ↑ Date is linked to the article about the awards held that year, wherever possible.

References

[edit]
  1. ↑ "Hi Nanna (12A)". British Board of Film Classification. 30 November 2023. Archived from the original on 3 December 2023. Retrieved 3 December 2023.
  2. ↑ "Hi Nanna Budget". Track Tollywood. 7 December 2023.
  3. ↑ "Hi Nanna Box Office Collection". Sacnilk. 5 December 2023.
  4. ↑ Dundoo, Sangeetha Devi (7 December 2023). "'Hi Nanna' movie review: A reaffirming story of love that conquers everything". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
  5. ↑ Srikar, Ram Venkat (7 December 2023). "Hi Nanna Review: Heartfelt Treatment Overpowers Predictable Narrative". filmcompanion.in. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
  6. ↑ "Hi Nanna Total WW Collections!! - T2BLive". 17 February 2024. Retrieved 2 September 2025.
  7. ↑ "Hi Nanna OTT release date– Here's when and where to watch the Nani, Mrunal Thakur starrer". OTTPlay. Retrieved 2 September 2025.
  8. 1 2 "The World Of Natural Star Nani, Mrunal Thakur and Shouryuv, Production No 1 (#Nani30) Unveiled". The Times of India. 1 January 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 1 January 2023. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  9. 1 2 "Exclusive! Nani and Mrunal Thakur were my first choices for #Nani30: Shouryuv". The Times of India. 3 January 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 3 January 2023. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  10. ↑ "Actor Angad Bedi to make his south debut with superstar Nani". The Times of India. 20 March 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 8 May 2023. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  11. ↑ "Inside details about Shruti Haasan's role in Nani, Mrunal Thakur's #Nani30". The Times of India. 29 April 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 19 May 2023. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  12. ↑ "Nani and Mrunal Thakur's film titled 'Hi Nanna': First glimpse reveals a heartwarming tale of a father-daughter bond". The Times of India. 13 July 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 20 July 2023. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  13. ↑ "Is Nani charging Rs 22 crores as remuneration for 'Hi Nanna'?". The Times of India. 6 October 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 17 October 2023. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  14. ↑ "Mrunal Thakur wraps Mumbai schedule of 'Nani 30', says "heart full of gratitude"". The Times of India. 31 May 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 4 June 2023. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  15. ↑ "Mrunal Thakur wraps up another schedule of upcoming film 'Hi Nanna' with Natural star Nani". The Times of India. 27 July 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 28 July 2023. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  16. ↑ "Hi Nanna: New shooting schedule of Nani and Mrunal Thakur starrer commences in scenic Coonoor". The Times of India. 2 September 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 24 October 2023. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  17. ↑ "Trailer Of Mrunal Thakur-starrer Telugu Film Hi Nanna To Release On This Date". News18. Retrieved 2 September 2025.
  18. ↑ "Samayama: First Single From Nani's Hi Nanna Out". Film Companion South. 8 September 2023. Archived from the original on 20 September 2023. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
  19. ↑ Features, C. E. (6 October 2023). "'Gaaju Bomma' song from Hi Nanna out". Cinema Express. Retrieved 2 September 2025.
  20. ↑ "Seismic, disruptive: AI's impact on the music industry". The Times of India. 10 September 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2 September 2025.
  21. ↑ "'Hi Nanna' teaser: Nani, Mrunal Thakur star in a feel-good film on love and fatherhood". The Hindu. 15 October 2023. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 23 October 2023. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  22. ↑ "Nani and Mrunal Thakur's 'Hi Nanna' teaser release date revealed". The Times of India. 13 October 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 12 October 2023. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  23. ↑ "'Hi Nanna' box office collection day 1: Nani and Mrunal Thakur starrer makes a good opening". The Times of India. 8 December 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
  24. ↑ "Mrunal Thakur, Nani's 'Hi Nanna' to be out on OTT on this date". 30 December 2023. Archived from the original on 4 January 2024. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  25. ↑ "Hi Nanna". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media.
  26. ↑ "'Hi Nanna' review: Endearing tale of love and resilience". Deccan Herald. 9 December 2023. Retrieved 25 August 2025.
  27. ↑ "Hi Nanna Movie Review: Heartwarming Tale Of Love And Resilience; Nani, Mrunal, & Kiara Melt Hearts". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 3 January 2024. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
  28. ↑ "Hi Nanna movie review: Nani, Mrunal Thakur impress in a poignant tale of love and bonding". The Indian Express. 7 December 2023. Archived from the original on 10 December 2023. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
  29. ↑ "Hi Nanna review: Nani, Mrunal Thakur, Kiara Khanna shine in this emotional tale". Hindustan Times. 7 December 2023. Archived from the original on 11 December 2023. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
  30. ↑ Dundoo, Sangeetha Devi (7 December 2023). "'Hi Nanna' movie review: A reaffirming story of love that conquers everything". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 8 December 2023. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
  31. ↑ "Hi Nanna Review: Heartfelt Treatment Overpowers Predictable Narrative". Film Companion. 7 December 2023. Archived from the original on 8 December 2023. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
  32. ↑ "Nominations for Filmfare Awards Telugu 2024 are out!". Filmfare. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
  33. ↑ Filmfare (4 August 2024). "Full list of Winners of the 69th SOBHA Filmfare Awards South (Telugu) 2024". Archived from the original on 4 August 2024. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
  34. ↑ The Times of India (4 August 2024). "69th Sobha Filmfare Awards South 2024: Check out the winners". Archived from the original on 4 August 2024. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
  35. ↑ Bharat, E. T. V. (17 July 2024). "SIIMA 2024 Nominations Revealed: Nani's Dasara and Rajinikanth Starrer Jailer Lead with 11 Nominations Each". ETV Bharat News. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
  36. ↑ "SIIMA 2024 full list of winners: Jailer, Dasara win big; Aishwarya Rai, Vikram, Nani, Nayanthara bag top acting honours". DNA India. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
  37. 1 2 "HONORING THE DIVERSITY OF SOUTH INDIAN CINEMA WITH ITS FOCUS ON TAMIL, TELUGU, MALAYALAM, AND KANNADA FILM INDUSTRIES IIFA UTSAVAM 2024 ANNOUNCES ITS POPULAR CATEGORY WINNER LIST". IIFA. Retrieved 4 July 2026.
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