Hi Nanna !
Cast: Viraj (Nani), Mrunal Thakur (Yashna), Mahi (baby Kiara Khanna), Dr. Arvind Bhatia (Angad Bedi), Jayaram (Mahi’s Grandfather), Neha Sharma and Shruti Haasan (Guest Appearance), Shilpa Tulaskar (Yashna’s mother), Priyadarshi Pulikonda (Justin), Dhristy Talwar (Yashna’s sister),
Director: Shouryuv
Produced By: Vyra Entertainments
Cinematography: Sanu Verghese
Music: Hesham Abdul Wahab
Release Date: 7th Dec 2023
Languages: Telugu (Original), Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada
Rating: 3.8/5
Viraj is a doting father to his 6 year daughter Mahi, played by Baby Kiara (who looks like a princess by the way). Mahi was born with a serious case of Cystic Fibrosis, which she adorably mispronounces as 65 roses. Inspite, of all the unflagging attention from her father, Mahi still yearns for a mother’s love. Her repeated enquiries, yield no results. Viraj for some reason is hesitant to talk and reveal details on her whereabouts. Miffed, she leaves home led by Pluto, her pet Golden Retriever, when they run into a woman called Yashna…
Yashna, who saves the duo from a near miss accident and then informs Viraj. However, on Viraj’s arrival, they team up against him, insisting on knowing the true story behind the elusive mother. For a stranger, Yashna is strangely invested; she interjects when she feels Viraj is not being entirely honest and protests when she feels Viraj is misinterpreting his situation with the mother, she even goes as far as to volunteer being imagined as the mother in the story. Viraj narrates, and thus begins our story….
Hi Nanna, is a love story that takes us to scenic Connoor, the heart of Mumbai and to the Goan beaches. Though not superlative, it is a good balance between plot, acting and romance. There are some plot twists that were genuinely unexpected (for me) and which propels the story in a new direction. The songs were a good mix of tunes put together, my favourite being Idhe Idhe. The movie could have done without Odiyamma”, a dance number that Nani executes with Shruti Haasan, that breaks away from his portrayal of calm, stoic and underlying melancholic. The scene seemed out of character for him and I felt Viraj could have still accomplished the events that it led up to, without the liquor chugging and flirtatious dance.
A question I would like to ask all readers: who do you think is the actual hero of the movie? Amidst all obvious answers, my answer would be Pluto… (😁). Though his presence on several occasions are inconspicuous, he is the core plot driver in several instances. Like several other movies in the past, the canine adds comedic timing, is absolutely adorable and a major contributor in setting things in motion and promoting the love quotient. Here are some other movies where man’s undisputed best friend plays a pivotal role in moving the plot ahead (https://dogwithblog.in/bollywood-movies-dog-lovers/). The movie has some really good monologues: Viraj’s comeback to Yashna’s mother, brief and to the point without too much fanfare; the one delivered by Jayaram at the end especially. I think it’s a smart move to not show Viraj as an action hero, he remains passive and forgiving.”Shards of Dream have fallen apart” plays beautifully in some areas. They were not overtly emotional and melodramatic, making the messages more impactful.
The movie is long at 3 hrs, but seems reasonably well paced, exploring POV’s and emotional angles of all the lead characters. Yashna’s fiancee, Dr. Aravind and Co. have extended cameos. The young doctors displayed temperament more like a group of thugs than a set of specialists.
For those of who would like a hint at spoilers…The mother does make an appearance and so does the father..
