Nayanthara Says Hi Sets Felt Like Family, Recalls Yaaradi Nee Mohini: ‘It Has Been a Very Long Time’

Nayanthara has opened up about the warm atmosphere on the sets of her upcoming Tamil film Hi, saying the experience reminded her of the family-like environment she felt during Yaaradi Nee Mohini.

Nayanthara is gearing up for the release of Hi, her upcoming Tamil romantic comedy co-starring Kavin. In a recent promotional interaction, the actor spoke about her experience working on the film and revealed that its sets gave her a feeling she had not experienced in a long time.

According to Nayanthara, the atmosphere on Hi was so comfortable and lively that it reminded her of the sets of Yaaradi Nee Mohini, the 2008 romantic drama in which she starred alongside Dhanush.

The actor particularly credited the senior members of the Hi cast and crew for creating an environment where everyone could interact freely and spend time together.

Nayanthara says Hi sets felt like family

Nayanthara described the Hi sets as a place where the cast and crew could sit together, talk and enjoy each other’s company.

She said it had been a long time since she had experienced a film set that genuinely felt like a family.

The actor recalled that the last time she had a similar experience was while working on Yaaradi Nee Mohini.

For Nayanthara, the atmosphere was not simply about the film’s production. It was the interactions between the people involved that made the experience particularly memorable.

Radikaa Sarathkumar brought a lively energy to the sets

Nayanthara had special praise for veteran actor Radikaa Sarathkumar, describing her as open, straightforward and unfiltered.

She said Radikaa does not hesitate to speak her mind and has no pretence in her interactions with others.

According to Nayanthara, Radikaa would often share stories from her experiences in the film industry during the 1980s and 1990s.

Those conversations helped create a relaxed atmosphere on set.

Nayanthara noted that whenever Radikaa entered the set, the mood would become more lively and everyone would move into what she described as “Jolly mode”.

Bhagyaraj and Prabhu also reminded Nayanthara of family

Nayanthara also spoke warmly about working alongside veteran personalities including Bhagyaraj and Prabhu.

She compared the feeling of being around them to spending time with family elders, using the Tamil terms Chithappa and Periyappa.

The actor recalled that everyone would sit together and talk for long periods.

That sense of familiarity and companionship was one of the reasons the Hi set stood out for her.

Her comments also highlight the contrast between the increasingly fast-paced nature of film production and the more relaxed, conversational atmosphere she remembers from earlier projects.

Nayanthara recalls Yaaradi Nee Mohini

Released in 2008, Yaaradi Nee Mohini featured Nayanthara alongside Dhanush and was directed by Mithran Jawahar.

The film became a popular romantic drama and remains one of the projects from Nayanthara’s earlier career that she remembers fondly.

By comparing the atmosphere of Hi to that film, Nayanthara suggests that the emotional experience of working with a close-knit group can be as memorable as the film itself.

She said:

“It has been a very long time since a film’s set felt like family. The last time I was a part of such a film was during Yaaradi Nee Mohini.”

Kavin and Nayanthara collaborate for the first time

Hi marks the first collaboration between Nayanthara and Kavin.

The film is written and directed by Vishnu Edavan, with CU Muthuselvan contributing additional screenplay and dialogues.

Although the makers have kept the detailed plot under wraps, Hi has been described as a fun-filled romantic comedy.

Nayanthara plays a character who shares her name, while Kavin portrays her romantic interest.

The unusual decision to give Nayanthara’s character her own name has also added curiosity around the film.

Hi release date and technical crew

Hi is scheduled to release in theatres on August 28, 2026.

The technical team includes composer Jen Martin, cinematographer Rajesh Shukla and editor Philomin Raj.

Kannan S and Sekar B are credited as the film’s art directors.

With Nayanthara and Kavin coming together for the first time, the film is expected to offer a different pairing for audiences while retaining the lighter tone associated with its romantic-comedy format.

For Nayanthara, however, the experience of making Hi appears to have been memorable even before the film reaches theatres. Her comments about the close-knit environment suggest that the relationships formed on set became an important part of her experience with the project.