[updated] - Ninnila Ninnila -2021-

The title repeats "Ninnila Ninnila" (You, Only You). By the end of the film, you realize it’s not just a romantic address to a lover. It is a promise to oneself. You have to find joy, only you. You have to heal your wounds, only you. And sometimes, love is just the gentle reminder that you are capable of trying again.

In the vast landscape of Indian cinema, 2021 was a year of adaptation. Theatres were shuttered or operating at limited capacity, and the digital space became the new frontier for storytelling. Amidst this shift, the Telugu film industry (Tollywood) saw a quiet, unassuming release on the streaming platform SonyLIV: (transl. You, Only You ). Directed by the talented debutant Ani. I. V. Sasi, this film arrived without the thunderous hype of a big-budget theatrical release but quickly found its audience through word of mouth. What emerged was a sophisticated, sweet, and surprisingly complex romantic drama that dared to break the mold of the quintessential Telugu love story. Ninnila Ninnila -2021-

is exactly what you need. Set in the cozy, winter-chilled streets of London, this debut film by director Ani I. V. Sasi The title repeats "Ninnila Ninnila" (You, Only You)