"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.
Here is everything you need to know about the film.
Headline: Hi Nanna, thank you for the tears. 🫶🌊
There are love stories, and then there are love stories that sneak up on you, wrap around your heart, and refuse to let go. #HiNanna is the latter.
On the surface, it’s about a single father (Nani) and his six-year-old daughter, Mahi. But beneath that, it’s a delicate, aching puzzle box of memory, grief, and second chances.
What makes this film special:
It’s not a typical formula drama. It’s quiet. It’s patient. And when the twist arrives, you’ll realize you’ve been watching two different movies at once.
Verdict: A warm, melancholic hug that reminds you—family isn't just about blood. It’s about showing up. Even when memory fails.
✨ Have tissues ready. And call your dad.
#HiNanna #Nani #MrunalThakur #TeluguCinema #EmotionalCinema #HeshamAbdulWahab
No discussion of Hi Nanna is complete without bowing down to the cast. Hi Nanna
In mainstream Telugu cinema, the hero must punch ten goons. In Hi Nanna, the hero brushes his daughter’s hair, reads her bedtime stories, and learns to cook pasta to impress a girl. This redefinition of masculinity is why the film has gathered a cult following among urban audiences and women.
Moreover, the film handles the "Single Father" trope with dignity. Viraj isn’t a hero despite being a single dad; he is a hero because of it. The film argues that vulnerability and caregiving are the strongest traits a man can possess.
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. "Hi Nanna" (translated as "Hi Dad") is a
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.
At its heart, Hi Nanna is an emotional exploration of love, loss, and the bond between a father and his daughter. The story revolves around Viraj (Nani), a doting single father raising his six-year-old daughter, Mahi (Kiara Khanna). Mahi suffers from a chronic respiratory condition, and her one wish is to know the story of her mother—a topic Viraj has always avoided.
When Mahi asks to hear the story, Viraj agrees on the condition that she must take her medicines without fuss. What unfolds is a narrative within a narrative, shifting between the present and a vibrant past in Coonoor. The story introduces us to Varsha (Mrunal Thakur), the woman who captured Viraj’s heart, and the tragic circumstances that led to their separation.
As the story concludes, a twist of fate brings a woman who looks exactly like Varsha into their lives, forcing Viraj to confront his past and fight for the future of his family.