5 days ago
Hi Review Highlights Nayanthara and Kavin’s Chemistry Despite Familiar Rom-Com
Hi is a romantic comedy about Mayil, a man who wants to find love and get married.
Devayani is trying to escape a marriage she does not want.
The two meet while running away from their problems.
Mayil tells people that Devayani is pregnant with his child, even though they are not married.
This lie creates many funny and chaotic situations with their families.
Over time, Mayil and Devayani become close and may fall in love.
Kavin and Nayanthara were praised for working well together.
People also liked the supporting actors and Jen Martin’s music.
Some reviewers felt the story was familiar and the emotional second half was too long.
Hi, Vishnu Edavan’s debut Tamil romantic comedy, released in theatres on Friday, 28 August, during Raksha Bandhan.
Kavin plays Mayilsamy, a Coimbatore man seeking a love marriage, while Nayanthara plays Devayani, who is escaping a forced marriage.
The pair pretend Devayani is pregnant with Mayil’s child, leading to family chaos before their friendship develops into romance.
Viewers and analyst Sreedhar Pillai praised the leads’ chemistry, supporting cast, music, and family-friendly entertainment value.
Reviews found the film pleasant but criticized its familiar premise, uneven jokes, and an emotional second half that sometimes drags.
- Who
- Kavin as Mayilsamy, Nayanthara as Devayani, debutant director Vishnu Edavan, and supporting actors including K. Bhagyaraj, Radhika Sarathkumar, and Prabhu.
- What
- Hi is a Tamil romantic comedy about two people whose unusual lie leads to family complications and a developing relationship.
- Where
- It was released in theatres in Tamil and Telugu; the story includes the characters meeting in Chennai.
- When
- The film released on Friday, 28 August, during Raksha Bandhan.
- Why
- The film was presented as a family-oriented romantic entertainer centered on an unconventional love story.
Positive assessments
Critical reservations
Lead pairing
Positive assessments
Viewers and Sreedhar Pillai described Kavin and Nayanthara’s chemistry as soulful, refreshing, effective, and well suited to the film.
Critical reservations
The reviews did not substantially criticize the pairing, but one review said the film failed to create a compelling reason to care deeply about the characters.
Story and originality
Positive assessments
Supporters found the simple premise, character-driven chaos, interval twist, and family humor engaging.
Critical reservations
The film was criticized for relying on familiar romantic-comedy tropes, a dated premise, and conflicts that offer little novelty.
Pacing and second half
Positive assessments
Social-media viewers praised the breezy first half and called the film a complete entertainer for youth and family audiences.
Critical reservations
Reviewers said the emotional second half stretches, some dramatic scenes feel weaker, and the songs can feel overdone later in the film.
Key facts
- Film
- Hi
- Director
- Vishnu Edavan
- Lead cast
- Kavin as Mayilsamy and Nayanthara as Devayani
- Runtime
- 2 hours 24 minutes
- Languages
- Tamil and Telugu
- Music
- Jen Martin
- Reception
- Generally positive, with praise for the lead chemistry and criticism of the familiar premise and stretched second half
Quotes
Sreedhar Pillai
Film trade analyst commenting on the movie
“Nayanthara as an ordinary woman is the backbone — neat and grounded. Kavin fits the part like it was written for him. Supporting cast? Fab. Late Bhagyaraj in his last appearance, Radhika and Prabhu give the film real warmth. Jen Martin’s music helps the mood. First half is all character intros and fun. Second half turns emotional… and stretches. Still, a satisfying, enjoyable family entertainer.”
livemint.com
“A simple family romcom that actually works — and the Nayanthara–Kavin pairing feels refreshingly new. Two people run away from home for very different reasons, collide in Chennai, and debutant Vishnu Edavan never makes a meal of the age-gap. He keeps it light, then drops a smart interval twist that lands.”
livemint.com
Social media user
An online viewer reviewing the film’s first half
“#Hi first half done - Such a beautiful film ❤️#Kavin and #Nayanthara’s chemistry is so soulful and refreshing ❤️❤️ Tamil cinema was missing films like this 🥺#JenMartin’s music is the soul of the film.”
livemint.com
Sources
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