Lokesh Kanakaraj praises 'Hi' director Vishnu Edavan: 'You've made me proud'
Synopsis
Lokesh Kanakaraj's public praise for his former associate Vishnu Edavan — after the 'Hi' trailer dropped — is more than a mentor's nod. It signals industry confidence in a debut that pairs Nayanthara and Kavin for the first time, in a no-villain family entertainer releasing 28 August.
Key Takeaways
Lokesh Kanakaraj congratulated debutant director Vishnu Edavan on X on 21 August , writing 'You've made me proud da @VishnuEdavan1.' Vishnu Edavan previously served as associate director to Kanakaraj on 'Kaithi' , 'Master' , and 'Vikram' . 'Hi' stars Nayanthara and Kavin in their first on-screen pairing, with Radhika Sarathkumar and the late K Bhagyaraj in supporting roles.
The film, set across Chennai , Coimbatore , and Pollachi , is described as a family entertainer with no villain.
Release date shifted from 14 August to 28 August ; the CBFC has cleared it with a U/A certificate .
Produced by Zee Studios South , The Rowdy Pictures , and Seven Screen Studios ; music by Jen Martin .
Director Lokesh Kanakaraj on Friday, 21 August publicly praised Vishnu Edavan, the debutant director behind the upcoming Tamil romantic entertainer 'Hi', after the film's trailer — featuring Nayanthara and Kavin — was released. Kanakaraj, one of Tamil cinema's most celebrated filmmakers, took to his X timeline to express his pride in his former associate, writing: 'You've made me proud da @VishnuEdavan1.'
A Mentor's Moment
Vishnu Edavan had worked as an associate director under Lokesh Kanakaraj on three of the latter's acclaimed projects — 'Kaithi', 'Master', and 'Vikram'. His directorial debut with 'Hi' marks a significant step in a career shaped under one of Tamil cinema's most consistent creative forces. Kanakaraj's public endorsement is likely to amplify the film's visibility ahead of its release.
What the 'Hi' Trailer Reveals
The trailer opens with veteran actor Bhagyaraj addressing Kavin's character Mayilsamy with a wry observation: 'There are only three categories of men. The first belong to the category of love marriages. The second category comprises of men who fall in love with their wives after marriage. The third category is for those who can never fall in love or get married.'
The narrative quickly establishes Mayilsamy as a timid, directionless young man whose singular ambition appears to be marrying the woman of his dreams. That woman — Devyani, played by Nayanthara — rejects his proposal and confronts him sharply: 'People here have so many problems. But you chose to die because a girl rejected you? Do you even have a conscience?' The exchange sets up what promises to be a layered romantic dynamic between the two leads, who are pairing on screen for the first time.
Cast, Crew and Key Details
The film features a strong ensemble. Radhika Sarathkumar plays Mayilsamy's mother, while the late actor K Bhagyaraj appears as his father. Supporting roles are filled by Prabhu, Sathyan, Adithya Kathir, and Kureishi, among others.
On the technical side, music is composed by Jen Martin, with cinematography by Rajesh Shukla. Editing is handled by Philomin Raj, art direction by Shekhar B, choreography by Brinda, and stunt coordination by Dinesh Kasi. The film is jointly produced by Zee Studios South, The Rowdy Pictures, and Seven Screen Studios.
According to sources close to the production, the story unfolds across three cities — Chennai, Coimbatore, and Pollachi. The film has been described as a family entertainer with no conventional villain, focused on 'true love,' in the words of director Vishnu Edavan.
Release Date and Certification
Originally slated for an 14 August release, 'Hi' has been pushed to 28 August. The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has already cleared the film with a U/A certificate. With Nayanthara and Kavin sharing the screen for the first time, audience anticipation is running high.
Point of View
'Master', and 'Vikram', Vishnu Edavan carries the weight of the Lokesh Cinematic Universe's craft standards into what is, on the surface, a gentler romantic premise. The real question is whether he can translate that technical discipline into emotional storytelling — a different muscle entirely. The trailer suggests he is trying; the box office on 28 August will say whether he has succeeded.
NationPress
21 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Lokesh Kanakaraj praise Vishnu Edavan?
Lokesh Kanakaraj praised Vishnu Edavan after the trailer of the Tamil film 'Hi' was released, writing on X that Edavan had made him proud. Edavan is a former associate director who worked under Kanakaraj on 'Kaithi', 'Master', and 'Vikram' before making his directorial debut with 'Hi'.
Who are the lead actors in the Tamil film 'Hi'?
'Hi' stars Nayanthara and Kavin in the lead roles, marking the first time the two actors have appeared together on screen. The supporting cast includes Radhika Sarathkumar, Prabhu, the late K Bhagyaraj, Sathyan, Adithya Kathir, and Kureishi.
When is 'Hi' releasing in cinemas?
'Hi' is now set to release on 28 August, after being shifted from its original date of 14 August. The Central Board of Film Certification has cleared the film with a U/A certificate.
What is the story of the film 'Hi'?
'Hi' is a romantic family entertainer set across Chennai, Coimbatore, and Pollachi. The film follows Mayilsamy (Kavin), a timid young man whose romantic proposal is rejected by Devyani (Nayanthara), and reportedly contains no conventional villain. Director Vishnu Edavan has described it as a film about true love.
Who is producing 'Hi' and who composed its music?
'Hi' is jointly produced by Zee Studios South, The Rowdy Pictures, and Seven Screen Studios. Music is by Jen Martin, cinematography by Rajesh Shukla, and editing by Philomin Raj.
