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After a massy, hard hitting Dasara, Nani chose a family-centric love story ‘Hi Nanna’, with a debutant director at the helm. After leaving a lasting impression on Telugu audiences as Sita in last year’s Sitaramam, Mrunal Thakur returns with Hi Nanna. With music by Hesham Abdul Wahab, who has already impressed with Kushi earlier this year, the film is a drama meant to bring family audiences to theatres.
Hi Nanna is the story of Viraj (Nani) and his 6-year-old daughter Mahi (Baby Kiara Khanna) living in a happy, self-sufficient world, which Yashna (Mrunal Thakur) enters accidentally. Viraj is a fashion photographer in Mumbai, whose life revolves around work and his daughter. This family is completed by a grandfather (Jayaram) and their dog, Pluto. Mahi is battling a life-threatening condition, Cystic Fibrosis, which she innocently calls ’65 roses’.
The missing mother in this family is a glaring absence which is brought up by the daughter constantly as she knows nothing about her. There is not even a photo of her in the house. Nani keeps on avoiding talking about her, even after promising to tell the tale. Mahi leaves home one morning, putting herself in danger after Viraj breaks his promise again. She is saved by Yashna, a passerby. Yashna gangs up with Mahi and pressurizes Viraj to talk about Mahi’s mother.
The tale Viraj finally tells is his love story with Varsha (Mrunal Thakur, again), which took place in Coonoor near Ooty. This love story between a budding photographer and a tourist flourishes and culminates in marriage, braving all odds and opposition. Why their bond broke irrevocably, where is Mahi’s mother now, and what happens to Yashna who finds herself getting drawn to this father-daughter duo forms the rest of the story.
Hi Nanna is a picturesque tale of love that progresses into a brooding, emotionally charged story of fighting all odds for love. The father-daughter bonding is well established in the movie. The first half feels structurally complete, and it ends on a disturbing, high note, suggesting that a cruel twist of fate may have doomed this love beyond repair.
The second half feels somewhat dragged with similar scenes repeating as nothing new comes into the story. Yashna’s impending marriage feels more like something you can ignore till quite late in the story. The daughter’s need for a mother gets pushed aside with the struggle between the lead pair taking center stage. The daughter’s reaction when she finally knows the truth about her mother and the twist Jayaram’s character brings in lifts up the proceedings.
Structurally the film is well packed in the first half, though few scenes involving the daughter could have been done better. The love story also feels predictable. The conflict point might not feel too dangerous to many as it is an issue of individual psychological fear. The second half is where the writer, director could have worked more as nothing notable happens till the climax.
Nani and Mrunal Thakur impress with their performances. Nani should be appreciated for leaving the spotlight for Mrunal’s character for most part of the movie. Jayaram, Priyadarshi, Nasser, Angad Bedi and others ably handle their roles. Baby Kiara Khanna suited the character and is presented well.
Sanu John Varghese’s camera captures Ooty, Goa locales beautifully. The close-ups in the second half capture the performances honestly. Hesham’s music, reminiscent of Kushi tracks, helps the movie immensely. The costumes and other production values are topnotch. Debutant writer-director has chosen a tough subject to handle. Comparisons to many Hollywood films is inevitable. He may have faltered at certain points with his focus shifting too soon, and a dull second half, but it is a praiseworthy debut.
The box office fate of the movie is too early to guess. Lack of ‘entertainment’ could be a factor in deciding the immediate appeal of the movie. But why Telugu film directors — stuck up on commercial entertainment in the last few years — not making emotionally charged films like these? Nani should be appreciated for choosing such content (after Jersey).
Hi Nanna is a decent, must watch for families this week.
Hi Nanna movie cast: Nani, Mrunal Thakur, Baby Kiara Khanna, Jayaram, Priyadarshi, Nasser, Angad Bedi
Hi Nanna movie director: Shouryuv
Hi Nanna movie rating: 3 stars
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