Released on December 7, 2023, Hi Nanna is an emotional Telugu romantic film that impressed the viewers with its emotional depth and outstanding acting. Directed by debutant Shouryuv, the film stars Nani and Mrunal Thakur as the central leads, exploring themes of love, loss, and family bonds through the eyes of a young girl. Directed by Vyra Entertainments, it contains music by Hesham Abdul Wahab that enhanced its tear-jerking scenes to gain universal acclaim and viewing hits on Netflix. The Hi Nanna heroine name, Mrunal Thakur, shines alongside Nani in dual roles, while child actor Baby Kiara Khanna steals hearts as their daughter. The movie, released in 2023, held its own against the competition based on its incredible visuals by Sanu John Varughese, accompanied by a touching story. Meanwhile, get to know the entire ensemble of the cast of Hi Nanna, plot summary, box office success and why it became a popular modern Telugu film.
Film Overview and Plot Summary
The setting of Hi Nanna is in Mumbai, and it follows a fashion photographer Viraj (Nani) who is a committed single father with a six-year-old child, Mahi (Baby Kiara Khanna), with cystic fibrosis. Mahi keeps on bothering her father over the absence of her mother and Viraj keeps that sore secret to himself. In comes Yashna (Mrunal Thakur), an affectionate woman who forms a friendship with Mahi and carefully takes Viraj out of his shell.
As their relationship develops, flashbacks demonstrate Varsha (Mrunal Thakur, voice of Chinmayi Sripaada once again), the wife of Viraj who has a tragic background that interlaces with their life. Such characters as Dr. Aravind (Angad Bedi) who is the fiancé of Yashna and Jayaram as Yashna’s father contribute additional drama and coziness. It is a family film that does not rely on melodrama since the story progresses to a catharsis of revelation through unconditional love.
Set over Mumbai and Kerala, the 2-hour 41-minute length of the movie is just enough whimsy and heartbreak, with the special dance number by Shruti Haasan giving the film a fresh burst of energy. After its theatrical release, it became available on Netflix on January 4, 2024, further increasing its international coverage.
Complete Cast of Hi Nanna Table
The ensemble delivers nuanced portrayals, with Nani earning praise for his tender fatherly role. Here’s the full cast of Hi Nanna in a structured table, highlighting key Hi Nanna character names and roles sourced from IMDb, StarsUnfolded, and Wikipedia.
| Actor/Actress | Character Name | Role Description |
|---|---|---|
| Nani | Viraj | Loving single father and photographer |
| Mrunal Thakur | Yashna/Varsha | Hi Nanna heroine name: Viraj’s wife, Mahi’s mother |
| Baby Kiara Khanna | Mahi | Viraj’s curious daughter with cystic fibrosis |
| Angad Bedi | Dr. Aravind | Yashna’s doctor fiancé |
| Shruti Haasan | Special Appearance | Dancer in a vibrant song sequence |
| Jayaram | Yashna’s Father | Supportive yet traditional parent |
| Nassar | Dr. Ranjan | Mahi’s caring doctor |
| Priyadarshi Pulikonda | Justin | Viraj’s close friend |
| Viraj Ashwin | Dr. Ashok Bhatia | Aravind’s brother, a fellow doctor |
| Drishty Talwar | Neha | Supporting role in Yashna’s circle |
| Ritika Nayak | Adult Mahi (Cameo) | Grown-up version of the lead child |
Crew highlights include writers Vamshi Bommena, Nagendra Kasi, and director Shouryuv; choreography by Bosco Martis; and producers like C.V. Mohan.
Box Office Collections: Week-One Breakdown
Hi Nanna opened strongly in Telugu states and Hindi markets, facing biggies like Salaar. It collected ₹55 crore share worldwide in its first week, driven by positive word-of-mouth.
One-Week Collection Table (in ₹ Crore, Approx.):
| Day | Telugu States | Hindi | Overseas | Worldwide Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | 18.3 | 0.45 | 2.5 | 23 |
| Day 2-3 | 12.5 | 1.2 | 3.0 | 20 |
| Day 4-7 | 10.2 | 1.8 | 2.5 | 18 |
| Total | 41 | 3.45 | 8 | 61 |
Net and Gross Collections: Full Run Performance
Budgeted at ₹60-70 crore (including Nani’s ₹22 crore paycheck), Hi Nanna achieved breakeven with solid returns. Final figures: Net Collection ₹90 crore India, Gross Worldwide ₹125 crore, including ₹20 crore overseas.
Net vs Gross Table (in ₹ Crore):
| Metric | India Net | Overseas Gross | Worldwide Gross |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 90 | 35 | 125 |
| Verdict | Profitable | Strong | Hit |
Hit or Flop Verdict: Commercial Critical Success
Hi Nanna was a success in recovering its budget three times with a 100 percent + ROI even amid the post-pandemic decline in Telugu markets. Critics celebrated it with an 8.3/10 score on IMDb, referencing it as heartwarming and refreshingly original, scooping 15 awards,s including SIIMA nominations of Nani and Mrunal Thakur. It did excel in Hindi dubbing, which was an eye-opener to family dramas.
It was no longer a film like Dasara by Nani, but its emotional weight made it sure of legs, grossing more than its rivals. The legacy of Netflix streaming as a contemporary Telugu gem was fixed.
Awards, Legacy, and Behind-the-Scenes Facts
The movie also swept through the awards: Nani as Best Actor, Kiara Khanna as Best Breakthrough Child Artist and Hesham Abdul Wahab as Music Filmfare South. Fun fact: It was filmed in actual Mumbai streets and it was the first Telugu film of Angad Bedi, and a comeback of an item song by Shruti Haasan. Hi Nanna’s cast of Hi Nanna delivered authenticity, with Hi Nanna character names like Viraj and Mahi resonating deeply.
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