Nani to Reunite With 'Hi Nanna' Director Shouryuv for Romantic Drama: Reports

After consecutive action films, Nani is reportedly taking a break from the genre and is keen to dive into romance. According to reports, the Telugu star has agreed to star in director Shouryuv's upcoming romantic comedy drama after the duo's hit 2023 collaboration, Hi Nanna.

OTT Play reported that Nani heard a narration from Shouryuv and liked the idea of the new "breezy romantic comedy". The report claimed that Nani wanted to break free from his image of starring only in actioners and hence instantly came on board to headline the film.

Shouryuv is likely to take the film on floors by 2026, as he is still currently scripting the movie. If the timelines are followed, the film will see a release in 2027.

It will be the director's second film after his debut with Hi Nanna, which also starred Mrunal Thakur. The romantic drama—featuring Nani as a single father raising a young daughter who has a life-threatening illness—had opened to good reviews and was a huge hit at the box-office.

After Hi Nanna, Nani headlined the hit 2024 Telugu psychological vigilante action thriller Saripodhaa Sanivaaram, directed by Vivek Athreya. Nani was last seen in Sailesh Kolanu's HIT: The Third Case, which released in May this year. The film is the third installment in the series following HIT: The First Case (2020) starring s Vishwak Sen and HIT: The Second Case (2022), which was headlined by Adivi Sesh.

Nani is currently filming The Paradise, an action thriller set for a 2026 theatrical release. The film reunites Nani with director Srikanth Odela, who had helmed the 2023 action drama Dasara. The Paradise is reportedly set in the 1980s Secunderabad, and chronicles the story of a marginalised tribe fighting for citizenship and recognition, led by a rebellious leader. With music by Anirudh Ravichander, the film also stars Sonali Kulkarni.