Hi Nanna 2023

Romance

Family

Drama

Box Office

$211K

Budget

$7.8M

Runtime

155 mins

Language

Telugu

Directed by

Shouryuv

Made by

Vyra Entertainments

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Hi Nanna Plot Summary

Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for Hi Nanna (2023). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.

Six-year-old Mahi (Baby Kiara Khanna) lives in Mumbai with her father Viraj, their grandfather Jayaram, and their loyal dog Pluto. Mahi suffers from cystic fibrosis, and Viraj, a successful fashion photographer, devotes himself to caring for her. Whenever Mahi asks about her absent mother, Viraj avoids the topic, and the quiet tension between them grows. Upset by his silence, Mahi runs away from home with Pluto, hoping to find answers or at least a little peace.

They are saved from an accident by Yashna (Mrunal Thakur), a kind woman who seems to understand their longing. At Mahi’s request, Yashna invites Viraj to a restaurant, where she and Mahi coax him into telling the story of her mother, Varsha. To help Mahi imagine Varsha more clearly, Yashna steps into that memory herself, playing Varsha for the moment and guiding the retelling with care and tenderness.

Viraj’s recounting reveals a ten-year-old memory, tracing how he met Varsha in Coonoor, a woman who had been unsettled by her parents’ divorce but who eventually found the courage to marry him despite her mother’s objections. They endure financial hardships, yet their little family feels whole. When Viraj’s career begins to soar, he longs for a child, and Varsha, initially hesitant, finally agrees. Their happiness is heartbreakingly short-lived: their daughter Mahi is born with a fatal illness, and Varsha blames Viraj while she grapples with regrets about their marriage.

Mahi, listening to the story, grows visibly affected and asks Viraj to stop. Privately, Yashna—still emotionally connected to Varsha’s past—urges him to finish, and Viraj reveals a further tragedy: shortly after Varsha’s breakdown, the couple is involved in a car accident. A twist soon follows: Yashna is Varsha herself, who survived the crash but woke with amnesia, forgetting her past, her marriage, and her child. Her mother had lied to Viraj, claiming Yashna wanted a divorce, and forced Viraj to stay away. Crushed yet loving, Viraj raised Mahi alone, and Pluto’s recognition of Yashna helps reunite the family, even as memories remain fractured.

To prevent further pain, Viraj narrates their story with certain details altered, keeping Yashna from fully recalling her past. Meanwhile, Yashna learns she is engaged to Dr. Aravind, a neurosurgeon who once treated her—Angad Bedi appears as the devoted physician in the background of these revelations. The trio escapes to Goa, hoping for distance and healing, but Mahi secretly invites Yashna to join them, and the bond between them deepens again. Yashna finds herself drawn to both Viraj and Mahi, and love begins to reawaken, even as the truth about their past shadows their days.

On the wedding day, Yashna’s mother’s revelations hit hard, and Mahi is left devastated by the tangled history. Yet another layer surfaces when Yashna’s estranged father shares that Viraj had raised Mahi with boundless care and selfless love, suggesting that destiny may still be on their side. In a moment of crisis, Yashna abandons the wedding and races to the hospital, where Mahi experiences a sudden health scare that requires urgent care. With Aravind and his medical team by their side, Mahi undergoes a life-saving operation, a sequence that tests every member of the family.

Before the surgery, Yashna promises Mahi that she will stay and teach her a song—a simple vow that carries the weight of their renewed bond. The film closes on a hopeful note: a grown-up, healthy Mahi takes the stage and sings the song taught by her mother, a tender testament to a family rebuilt by love, memory, and the belief that destiny can lead loved ones back to each other.

Hi Nanna Timeline

Follow the complete movie timeline of Hi Nanna (2023) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.

Mahi runs away with Pluto after seeking her mother

Six-year-old Mahi lives in Mumbai with her father Viraj, their grandfather, and a dog named Pluto. Mahi has cystic fibrosis, and Viraj pours his life into caring for her while avoiding questions about her mother. When the silence becomes too painful, Mahi runs away with Pluto, and a near accident is averted thanks to a woman named Yashna who saves them.

present day Mumbai

Yashna rescues them and invites Viraj to tell Varsha's story

Yashna saves Mahi and Viraj from the runaway situation and invites Viraj to a restaurant where she and Mahi coax him to tell the story of Varsha, Mahi's mother. To help Mahi imagine Varsha, Yashna pretends to be her. The moment marks the beginning of a revealing evening that threads through their pasts.

present day restaurant, Mumbai

Viraj recounts meeting Varsha in Coonoor and their marriage

Viraj recalls meeting Varsha in Coonoor ten years earlier and how their bond grew despite Varsha's fears and her parents' divorce. Varsha overcomes her fears and agrees to marry Viraj, even though money is tight and the future is uncertain. The tale hints at a fragile happiness before the storm.

ten years ago Coonoor

Birth of Mahi and Varsha's trauma

After Varsha and Viraj wed, their joy is tempered by the birth of a daughter, Mahi, who is born with a fatal illness. Varsha blames Viraj for their misfortune and regrets the marriage, believing it doomed from the start. Yet the dream of family persists amid the hardship.

shortly after Mahi's birth

Varsha's breakdown and the car accident

Varsha experiences a breakdown, and soon after, Varsha and Viraj are involved in a car accident that reshapes their lives. In the aftermath, Varsha's memory of her relationship with Viraj becomes tangled, and the pair confronts loss and hope. The accident marks the end of Varsha's active life as a partner, leaving Viraj to raise Mahi alone.

shortly after Varsha's breakdown

The twist: Yashna is Varsha and has amnesia

In a dramatic twist, it is revealed that Yashna is Varsha herself, who survived the accident but developed amnesia, forgetting her past, marriage, and child. Varsha's mother lied to Viraj, claiming Yashna wanted a divorce and forced him to stay away. Pluto's recognition of Yashna helps bridge the gap, while Viraj continues to raise Mahi with love.

present day restaurant

Viraj preserves the family by retelling their story with care

To shield Yashna from painful recollections, Viraj tells their story with modified details and focuses on the enduring love that has kept them connected. He and Mahi live with the truth that Varsha was once part of their lives, but he keeps the sharper memories at bay. The narrative becomes a careful map through a painful past.

present day restaurant

Goa retreat to escape pain and reconnect

Hoping to escape the pain of the past, Viraj moves Mahi and Pluto to Goa, where the family begins to reconnect with Yashna. In this coastal setting, old ties start to re-form as Yashna feels drawn to Viraj and his daughter. The mood shifts from avoidance to tentative reunion.

present day Goa

Mahi invites Yashna and old feelings resurface

Mahi secretly invites Yashna to stay connected, and Yashna finds herself naturally drawn to Mahi and Viraj, even falling in love with Viraj again. The renewed closeness deepens the complexity of their relationships and the choices ahead. The family begins to confront their shared past with a new sense of possibility.

present day Goa

On Yashna's wedding day, truth unsettles Mahi

On Yashna's wedding day, Mahi learns the truth about her origins from Yashna's mother and is devastated by the revelation. The family grapples with what is real and what has been hidden, challenging their hopes for a fresh start. The moment acts as a crucible for their relationships.

Yashna's wedding day

Estranged father reveals Viraj's role in raising Mahi

Yashna's estranged father discloses that Viraj raised Mahi selflessly, underscoring the deep bond that has always connected them. The revelation reshapes Yashna's sense of loyalty and belonging. It renews the belief that they were always meant to be together if they face the truth together.

after truth is learned

Yashna forgives the past and faces a crisis with Mahi

Yashna abandons her wedding plans and rushes to the hospital when Mahi suffers a sudden health crisis. Dr. Aravind and his team work to save Mahi's life, while Yashna promises to stay and teach her a song. The moment marks a concrete commitment to the family and their future.

present hospital

Grown-up Mahi sings the song her mother taught her

Years later, a healthy, grown Mahi takes the stage to sing the song her mother taught her. The performance symbolizes the family's reunion and the enduring power of love and destiny. The story closes with a hopeful, united future.

years later stage

Hi Nanna Characters

Explore all characters from Hi Nanna (2023). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.

Yashna (Mrunal Thakur)

A compassionate stranger who rescues Mahi and becomes part of the family. She later discovers she is Varsha, the mother, and initially deals with amnesia that hides her past. Her bond with Viraj deepens, and she navigates love, memory, and truth while tying the family back together.

❤️ Compassionate 🧠 Complex Identity 💞 Rebuilt Love

Dr. Aravind

A neurosurgeon who is engaged to Yashna and helps with Mahi’s medical needs. He provides professional support and becomes a stabilizing presence as the family confronts past secrets. His role underscores care, expertise, and partnership in crisis.

💼 Professional 🫶 Supportive

Viraj (Nani)

A successful fashion photographer and devoted father who protects his daughter and carries the memory of Varsha. He narrates parts of the family history and reveals how he adapted the truth to shield Mahi from pain. His steadfast love drives the eventual reunion and healing.

💖 Fatherly 🛡️ Protective 💬 Storyteller

Varsha / Yashna's Mother

Varsha is the mother whose past with Viraj and Mahi is central to the twist. Her memory, deceits, and eventual truth shape the emotional arc and the path to reconciliation. She acts as a catalyst for the revelations that bind the family.

🫶 Maternal figure 🧭 Guiding truth

Yashna (Voice) (Chinmayi Sripaada)

Voice representation of Yashna, reinforcing the character’s presence in the memory and storytelling aspects of the film. This portrayal adds a layer to the character’s emotional resonance within the narrative.

🎙️ Voice Identity 🌀 Emotional Echo

Mahi (Child) — Baby Kiara Khanna

Six-year-old Mahi, who lives with a life-threatening illness and drives the family’s emotional journey. Her questions about her mother propel the story forward and test the parents’ willingness to confront truth.

🧒 Child Protagonist 💗 Innocence

Mahi (Adult) — Ritika Nayak

Adult Mahi represents the lasting impact of her early experiences, embodying resilience and singing as a symbol of healing and connection with her mother. She embodies the film’s message of reconciliation and continuity.

🫂 Resilience 🎤 Artistry

Ranjan

A supporting character portrayed by Nassar whose role is part of the broader family circle. The exact plot details involving Ranjan are not detailed in the summary, but he is part of the film’s web of relationships.

🧩 Supporting Character 🟠 Family Ties

Mahi's Grandfather

A paternal figure in Mahi’s life, portrayed by Jayaram. He is part of the extended family sphere that informs Mahi’s upbringing and the emotional texture of the story.

👴 Family Elder 🕊️ Wisdom

Hi Nanna Settings

Learn where and when Hi Nanna (2023) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.

Time period

Contemporary

The narrative unfolds in modern-day India, with past events occurring roughly a decade earlier. It blends present-day family dynamics with recollections of Varsha and Viraj’s history, including a life-changing accident and a caregiving period. The timeline emphasizes real-world pacing—relationships, illness, and reunion unfold across plausible, current-day contexts.

Location

Mumbai, Coonoor, Goa

The story is anchored in Mumbai, where Mahi and Viraj live, before taking the characters to the tranquil hill station of Coonoor for memories and revelations. Goa provides a seaside retreat that tests their choices and offers a setting for healing moments. These locations reflect the contrast between a crowded urban life, peaceful natural spaces, and a sunlit escape that frames the emotional journey.

🏙️ Bustling metropolis 🏞️ Scenic hill station 🏖️ Coastal city

Hi Nanna Themes

Discover the main themes in Hi Nanna (2023). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.

❤️

Family

Family bonds drive the plot, weaving together the lives of Viraj, Mahi, Yashna, and Varsha. The film examines how love withstands pain, secrecy, and memory loss. It highlights sacrifice, forgiveness, and the enduring pull of kinship that guides difficult decisions.

🧠

Memory

Memory and identity are central as amnesia reshapes relationships and alters understanding of the past. The story plays with restored and revised memories, revealing how truth and perception influence loyalty. The eventual revelation reconfigures what each character believes about family and destiny.

💊

Caregiving

Illness frames daily life, with Mahi’s cystic fibrosis shaping routines, priorities, and courage. Viraj’s dedication as a single father underscores the meaning of caregiving beyond romance. The narrative shows resilience in the face of medical and emotional challenges.

🌟

Destiny

Fate threads the relationships, guiding reunions and the reconciliation of past mistakes. The plot pivots on the idea that love and truth can converge despite long separations and hidden identities. The ending suggests a destined unity for the family despite circumstantial twists.

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Hi Nanna Spoiler-Free Summary

Discover the spoiler-free summary of Hi Nanna (2023). Get a concise overview without any spoilers.

In bustling Mumbai, a young girl navigates a world that swirls with color, sound, and the ever‑present hum of the city’s rhythm. Mahi, a six‑year‑old with cystic fibrosis, lives in a modest apartment with her devoted father, her grandfather, and their loyal dog. The film paints their daily life with a tender realism, balancing the challenges of illness with moments of play, laughter, and quiet wonder. Viraj, a successful fashion photographer, has built his world around caring for his daughter, his love expressed through patience, art, and a protective devotion that feels both intimate and expansive.

Pluto serves as more than a pet; he is a silent confidant who shares Mahi’s curiosity and adventurous spirit. When questions about the mother who never appears in their home linger in Mahi’s mind, her yearning for answers becomes a gentle undercurrent that drives her imagination. The city’s streets, markets, and fleeting glimpses of strangers become a canvas for her to explore, hinting at a larger story that waits just beyond the familiar walls.

A chance encounter leads Mahi and Pluto to cross paths with Yashna, a kind‑hearted woman whose presence introduces a new layer of warmth and mystery. Their meeting feels serendipitous, offering Mahi a glimpse of the missing pieces of her family’s puzzle. The tone remains hopeful, underscored by the quiet strength of a child who refuses to be defined solely by her condition, and the deep, unspoken bonds that tie a single parent and child together.

Through its gentle humor, vivid cityscape, and an undercurrent of longing, the film invites viewers to contemplate the enduring power of love, sacrifice, and the invisible threads that connect us all. It remains an intimate portrait of resilience, where every smile, whispered question, and fleeting connection hints at deeper revelations waiting to unfold.