Hi Nanna (2023)
Film · Drama, Family, Romance
Stream itif you enjoy high-calibre emotional dramas that prioritise sentiment, polished visuals, and heartfelt central performances.
An emotionally charged and visually lush South Indian drama that balances the sweetness of a father-daughter bond with the weight of illness and lost love. Expect a polished, high-stakes experience that aims directly for the heartstrings with earnest performances.
What it is about
Six-year-old Mahi, a spirited child with cystic fibrosis, shares a deep yet complex bond with her father, Viraj, a dedicated single parent and successful fashion photographer. Her curiosity about her absent mother leads to a journey of discovery when she runs away with her loyal dog, Pluto. A chance encounter with a kind woman named Yashna sparks unexpected revelations, intertwining their lives in ways they never anticipated. Set against a backdrop of love, sacrifice, and redemption, Mahi’s story is a heartfelt exploration of family, resilience, and the enduring power of connection.
Trailer
What Hi Nanna is like, and who it is for
What it is like to watch
Watching this film feels like navigating a meticulously crafted emotional landscape. It moves with a deliberate, steady pace that allows the tender relationship between a father and his daughter to breathe before the heavier narrative layers unfold. The tone is unashamedly sentimental, wrapped in a glossy, high-production aesthetic that makes even the more somber moments feel warm and inviting. The intensity stems not from action, but from the rising stakes of health and hidden histories.
Who it is for, and who should skip it
This is a quintessential watch for those who appreciate the 'tearjerker' subgenre of Indian cinema, offering a sophisticated blend of family devotion and romantic longing. However, if you have a low tolerance for earnestness or find 155 minutes of emotional manipulation taxing, this might feel overly long. One honest caveat is that the film leans heavily on coincidence to drive its plot, which requires a certain level of narrative forgiveness from the viewer.
The right evening for it
It is perfectly suited for a quiet, introspective evening when you are in the mood for a good cry. Prepare for a cinematic experience that demands your full emotional attention and a box of tissues nearby.
Written by our AI from the facts on this page. It has opinions; it has not watched it.
How Hi Nanna leaves you
One line on the mood it ends on, with no plot. Some people count that as a spoiler, so it stays hidden until you ask.
You will likely come away feeling deeply moved and reflective, carrying a heavy sense of warmth mixed with the lingering weight of a story about sacrifice and enduring family bonds.
How Hi Nanna ends
Spoilers. The whole ending, in a few lines. Nothing shows until you ask and then confirm.
The film ends with Yashna abandoning her wedding to Dr. Aravind after doubting the narrative that she would have willingly left her family. She rushes to the hospital where Mahi is fighting for her life and needs emergency lung surgery. While Mahi's grandfather confronts his wife over her past manipulations, Yashna bonds with Viraj and promises Mahi she will stay to teach her a song. She expresses a deep wish that she had been the mother Viraj described, contrasting her feelings before her amnesia.
A flash-forward confirms the success of the operation, showing a healthy, grown-up Mahi singing the song Yashna taught her on a stage. This final sequence settles the family's fate, confirming that Mahi survived her illness and that the family has been permanently reunited.
Summarised by our AI from the plot section of the Wikipedia article, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. This summary is shared under the same licence.
Stills
Images from TMDB.
If you like this, try
Taare Zameen Par (2007)
the same focus on a sensitive child and a protective adult guardian
Instructions Not Included (2013)
a single father navigating life and unexpected secrets with his young daughter
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Hi Nanna soundtrack
Music by Hesham Abdul Wahab
Questions people ask
- Is Hi Nanna a tearjerker film?
- Yes. On Watchlist Boosted it is tagged Tearjerker, with a romantic streak. An emotionally charged and visually lush South Indian drama that balances the sweetness of a father-daughter bond with the weight of illness and lost love. Expect a polished, high-stakes experience that aims directly for the heartstrings with earnest performances.
- How long is Hi Nanna?
- Hi Nanna runs 155 min and was released in 2023.
- Where can I watch Hi Nanna in the UK?
- In the UK, Hi Nanna is included with Netflix (all plans).
- Who composed the music for Hi Nanna?
- The music for Hi Nanna is by Hesham Abdul Wahab.
- Is Hi Nanna worth watching?
- Stream it: if you enjoy high-calibre emotional dramas that prioritise sentiment, polished visuals, and heartfelt central performances. IMDb users rate it 8.3 out of 10 from 27,393 votes, Rotten Tomatoes gives it 100% and TMDB users 8.0.
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