Nayanthara’s 2026 has been a mixed bag so far, despite starting on a high with the massive success of Mana Shankara Varaprasad Garu. “She was riding high after the success of Mana Shankara Varaprasad Garu and there were good expectations on her subsequent films. But Toxic failed to live up to expectations, and now her latest Tamil release Hi has also received a mixed response,” says a producer.

Hi, starring Nayanthara and Kavin and directed by debutant Vishnu Edavan, was released in theatres on August 28 and opened with considerable pre-release buzz. Nayanthara, who also produced the film, actively promoted it through interviews and public events, which helped generate curiosity among audiences.

“Unfortunately, the film has turned out to be a disappointment for a section of the audience. While Kavin and Nayanthara have delivered good performances, many viewers feel the film lacks the engaging content required to sustain theatrical interest. The general word of mouth appears to be below average to average,” the producer ads.

At the same time, several Kollywood trackers and influencers have praised Hi as one of the better feel-good films in recent times. This has led to a backlash on social media, with some viewers accusing influencers of excessively positive promotions and paid campaigns.

As for Nayanthara, the situation is equally concerning. “After the success of Mana Shankara Varaprasad Garu, expectations were very high, but Toxic did not work as expected and Hi is now facing mixed word of mouth. With both films failing to capitalize on the momentum, it has certainly been a challenging phase for her in 2026,” the producer concludes.

Nayantara has delivered blockbusters like 'Tulasi', Simha and Legend in Tollywood and carved a niche for herself in tollywood.


Tags: