Hi Movie Review: Nayanthara and Kavin’s Romantic Drama Misses the Mark

Movie Name: Hi

Release Date: August 28, 2026
Starring: Nayanthara, Kavin, Bhagyaraj, Radhika Sarathkumar and Others
Director: Vishnu Edavan
Producers: Vignesh Shivan, Nayanthara, SS Lalit Kumar
Music Director: Jen Martin
Cinematographer: Rajesh Shukla
Editor: Philomin Raj

Related Links: Trailer

Hi is the latest Tamil film starring Nayanthara, who has also taken on production duties. Kavin plays the other lead, and the film has been released today in both Tamil and Telugu. Here’s our review to find out whether it manages to impress.

Story

Subrahmanyam (Kavin) is a soft-spoken and timid young man from Rajahmundry who has experienced rejection from girls at every stage of his life. When his parents arrange a marriage for him, he decides to leave home and run away.

Meanwhile, Devasena (Nayanthara), a bold and determined woman from Bhimavaram, escapes from an arranged marriage that she never wanted. Their paths eventually cross in Hyderabad, and what happens after their meeting forms the crux of the story.

Plus Points

Nayanthara, after her outing in Toxic, takes on a familiar role and does her best to deliver what the film demands. Kavin, whose character is quite different from Nayanthara’s, also puts in a decent performance.

The lead pair shares okay chemistry, and a few of their scenes work to an extent. Apart from the main actors, the late legend Bhagyaraj makes an impression despite his limited screen time. A few comedy portions work here and there, while Jen Martin’s music stands out as one of the better aspects of the film.

Minus Points

The biggest issue with Hi is that the rom-com does not offer anything particularly fresh. The story closely resembles several films audiences have already seen. Even though the plot is predictable, it could have worked better with stronger writing and more effective execution.

The film loses momentum in the second half. While there are a few gags, the narrative feels stretched at several points. What could have been a more engaging romantic drama falls short mainly because of its weak writing.

Veteran actors like Radhika Sarathkumar, Prabhu, and VTV Ganesh are also underutilised, with none of them getting substantial roles. The lengthy runtime becomes another drawback, especially for a familiar story like this.

Technical Aspects

Director Vishnu Edavan fails to turn Hi into an engaging watch. As a directorial debut, the film could have been handled much better. A stronger and more engaging screenplay would have helped considerably. If the scenes involving the lead pair had been written and presented more effectively, the film could at least have turned into a passable romantic drama.

The cinematography by Rajesh Shukla and Leon Britto is adequate, while Jen Martin’s music is one of the satisfactory elements. Philomin Raj’s editing could have been sharper, as several scenes could have been trimmed to improve the pace. The production values are decent, and the Telugu dubbing is fine.

Verdict

On the whole, Hi is a predictable and outdated romantic drama that gets decent performances from Nayanthara and Kavin. A few comedy scenes work, but the film fails to make proper use of its notable supporting cast.

The movie also struggles to make the most of its genre and fails to deliver the emotional impact it aims for. Overall, Hi is not a film worth adding to your watchlist, and audiences can look for better alternatives.