Kavin & Nayanthara's "Hi": Vishnu Edavan Revives Classic Tamil Cinema Magic!

In the 1990s and 2000s, Tamil cinema found comfort in a very specific pleasure - breezy entertainers. All you needed was a simple story, an ensemble, memorable songs, and a good old comedy track to make your day. However, as the years progressed, filmmakers began chasing grander dreams, slowly letting go of one of Tamil cinema's most satisfying indulgences.

Audiences have missed the sub-genre so much that even a mention of those films evoke memories of those good old movie weekends.

And last week, that feeling of nostalgia heightened for the best reason possible: "Hi", starring Kavin and Nayanthara, surprised filmgoers by turning the clock back. Lyricist-director Vishnu Edavan, rejoicing at the film’s reception, says making his directorial debut with an old-school entertainer was precisely his dream.

I wanted to make films like the ones KS Ravikumar sir did, or like Yaaradi Nee Mohini, Santosh Subramaniam, and so on.

At a time when most filmmakers are trying to figure out fresher genres to opt for, choosing to do a film so old-school might have attracted opposing opinions. “Which is why, right before I started narrating the scripts, I would tell the listener that I intended to make this film in this specific style,” says Vishnu, adding that the film’s producers and actors thankfully saw merit in his idea.

"Hi" has been lauded for anchoring Vishnu Edavan's old-school wholesome entertainment.

The film follows a vulnerable man, Mayilsamy (Kavin), and a sharp, confident woman, Devayani (Nayanthara), who find each other in one of the worst phases of their lives.

Mayil falls in love with Devayani, and when a sudden twist of fate threatens to upend their lives, he sees an opportunity to realise his dreams - he hatches a plan that would forever change his and Devayani's lives.

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