Hi Nanna Review: A Heartfelt Romantic Drama Held Up By Nani, Mrunal Thakur's Chemistry

When you watch a romantic-drama, it's hard not to predict its template. The plot is usually a meet-cute moment between the boy and the girl, and we see the villain the story, and the story of how the two overcome the odds to be together. Well, in the case of director Shouryuv's debut film Hi Nanna, he tells us that the treatment of the plot matters when it comes to telling the same story.

Imagine this, the story takes us through the scene where Viraj (Nani), gives you a flashback into his life, and how he fell in love at first sight with his wife Varsha (Mrunal Thakur). The scene gives us the reason for his love. Eventually, it gives us a POV into his life, we see Viraj's downfall, through his life, where he breaks down, and decides to move on - is a perfect example of stellar performance by Nani, and a moving scene that feels like it's hard not to tear up. Although slow-paced, these moments are a great addition to the story.

Hi Nanna tells the story of Viraj (Nani), an aspiring photographer, and Varsha (Mrunal), who defy financial status to get married. Their journey takes a turn when they become parents to Mahi (Baby Kiara), a child born with a life-threatening medical condition. Fast forward to the present; Viraj, now a celebrated photographer in Mumbai, navigates life as a single parent to Mahi. The plot introduces Yashna (Mrunal Thakur) creating a new twist to the story.

With Hi Nanna, Shouryuv attempts to showcase the traditional boy-meets-girl move story with a touch of progressive outlook.

This includes the theme of single parenting, adding the 'feminine touch' raising a girl-child albeit still anchored in old-story of the girl's mother opposing their relationship, and not to forget the terrible 'hip' shot of the heroine walking in slo-mo, Shruti Haasan's social number. Just when you think the story can break the regressive norms, the camera angles want us to know that 'woman' are objectified. The addition of 'commercial' elements including a fight-scene seemed unnecessary. That's quite a twist from the emotion-heavy first half of the film. Quoting Yashna here "This just doesn't add up"!!

Perhaps, the film should have focused more on its strength, which is raising a child, beating stereotypes using that as a story, and focusing more on romantic-developments development between Viraj and Yashna.

In terms of performance, Nani is subtle, natural and strikes a terrific chemistry with his On-screen pair Mrunal Thakur. Similar to her performance in Sita Ramam, Mrunal, plays the woman who communicates through her lovely smile and eyes. Baby Kiara is adorable as the young child, who earns for her mother's love. Hesham Abdul Wahab's music adds value to the film's plot making it a soulful one.

Hi Nanna, is earnest and heartfelt that makes you root Yashna and Viraj's love story. The last 30-minutes are what makes the film stand out.