Hi Nanna May 2026

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. Hi Nanna

✨ Have tissues ready. And call your dad.

#HiNanna #Nani #MrunalThakur #TeluguCinema #EmotionalCinema #HeshamAbdulWahab

"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.

Upon release, Hi Nanna received rave reviews from critics (averaging 4/5 stars). While it faced tough competition from Salaar: Part 1 and Dunki, the film held its ground due to positive word of mouth. It eventually crossed the ₹100 crore worldwide gross mark, solidifying Nani’s position as a bankable star who can open a film on the strength of a story alone, not just star power. Headline: Hi Nanna, thank you for the tears

Hi Nanna has been compared to Hollywood dramas like Gifted (2017) and The Pursuit of Happyness (2006) for its father-daughter dynamic, and to Korean films for its melancholic, aesthetic romance. In Telugu cinema, it stands apart from the high-energy action films of 2023, aligning more with Sita Ramam (2022) in its lyrical, tear-jerking romance.

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.

A Father-Daughter Bond Unlike typical commercial films, Hi Nanna places the father-daughter relationship at its core. The scenes between Viraj and Mahi are written with sensitivity, portraying the struggles and pure love of single parenthood.

The "Natural" Treatment Director Shouryuv chose a "realistic" approach over melodrama. There are no exaggerated villains or unrealistic fight sequences. The conflict is internal and emotional, making the story relatable and grounded.

Visual Splendor Cinematographers Sanu John Varughese and Kuruppath Sreejith create a visual feast. The film travels across Mumbai, Goa, and the serene landscapes of Coonoor. The color grading and framing give the movie a dreamy, romantic aesthetic. It’s not a typical formula drama

The Music Composed by Hesham Abdul Wahab, the soundtrack is a massive hit. Songs like "Samayama" and "Ammaadi" are not just musical numbers but narrative devices that move the story forward. The lullaby "O Rendu Prema Meghaalila" is particularly touching.

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.

Let’s address the breakout star: little Kiara Khanna. Child actors often feel like pre-programmed robots reciting lines. Kiara, however, feels like a real six-year-old. Her tantrums, her laughter, and her devastating crying scenes towards the end of Hi Nanna will leave audiences reaching for tissues. She doesn’t just act; she listens and reacts, making her a co-lead rather than a prop.