Kavin and Nayanthara's new movie 'Hi', directed by Vishnu Edavan, has just hit the theatres. So, is this fresh pairing worth the hype? Here's our full review.
Kavin and Nayanthara have teamed up for the new film 'Hi', directed by Vishnu Edavan. Muthuselvan has contributed with additional screenplay and dialogues. The movie is a joint production by Seven Screen Studios, Rowdy Pictures, and Zee Studios, with Lalitkumar, Nayanthara, Vignesh Shivan, and Umeshkumar Bansal as producers. Jen Martin composed the music, and Philomin Raj handled the editing. Let's dive into the review.
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What's the story of 'Hi' all about?
Kavin's character dreams of a love marriage, just like his parents had, but love never seems to find him. His family starts looking for a bride, but he's firm on his decision. He leaves a letter and runs away from home. On the other hand, Nayanthara's character grew up without a mother's love and a distant father. She wants to be independent and avoid marriage. But when her family arranges a wedding against her will, she too escapes to Chennai. In Chennai, the two meet and become friends. Kavin feels she's the perfect girl he's been dreaming of and falls for her. But Nayanthara makes it clear she doesn't believe in love or marriage. So, Kavin keeps his feelings to himself. A twist of fate forces them to pretend to be a married couple for a while. Kavin sees this as a chance to win her over. Does he succeed? That's what 'Hi' is all about.
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How was Kavin's performance?
Kavin plays a young man from the Coimbatore and Kongu region. He naturally shows the character's longing for love and the disappointment when it doesn't work out. The age gap with Nayanthara is visible in some scenes, but Kavin's controlled and mature acting mostly covers it up. He shines not just in romantic scenes but also in comedy moments. His friends, played by Sathyan, Aadithya Kathir, and Qureshi, bring some solid laughs. Sathyan's 'mind voice' scenes, in particular, are a total riot in the theatre.
Nayanthara plays a woman from the Kongu region, but her on-screen style remains largely unchanged. She grabs attention with her modern outfits and stylish look. Her experienced acting adds weight to many scenes. At the same time, her age sometimes feels a bit mismatched with the character, especially in scenes with Kavin. But despite this, her screen presence and performance are one of the film's biggest strengths. Radikaa and K. Bhagyaraj play Kavin's parents, while Prabhu plays Nayanthara's father. Suhasini Maniratnam also makes a special appearance. These veteran actors add a lot of value to the film. Others like VTV Ganesh, FEFSI Vijayan, Kaavya Arivumani, Mirchi Kemi, and Amrutha Srinivasan also do a great job in their small roles.
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Technical Aspects
Cinematographer Rajesh Shukla has shot the film in beautiful, vibrant colours. He makes sure Nayanthara looks absolutely stunning on screen. Jen Martin's music gives the songs a celebratory vibe, and his background score really lifts the romantic and emotional scenes. Editor Philomin Raj keeps the simple story moving at a steady pace. Director Vishnu Edavan doesn't rely on big twists; instead, he focuses on the characters' relationships and their feelings to drive the story forward.
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Overall, how is 'Hi'?
Don't go into 'Hi' expecting huge plot twists or a suspenseful screenplay. You can pretty much guess how the story will unfold from start to finish. However, the director has tried to keep the audience entertained with natural performances, comedy, romance, and family drama. Kavin's balanced acting, the comedy scenes, and the contribution of senior actors are the film's plus points. On the downside, the age difference between Kavin and Nayanthara sometimes makes their pairing feel a bit unnatural. If you're not looking for a complex story and just want a light-hearted romantic comedy, 'Hi' could be an enjoyable watch for you.
