After creating a sensation with 90s Biopic on ETV Win, comedian Mouli Tanuj and filmmaker Aditya Haasan return with a full-length feature. This time, Mouli steps into the hero’s shoes, while Aditya dons the producer’s hat. Their latest film, Little Hearts, has hit the screens today. Let’s check whether it lives up to expectations.

Story:
Set in Hyderabad in 2015, the story revolves around Nalli Akhil (Mouli Tanuj), a boy weak in studies and uninterested in Engineering, much to the frustration of his ambitious father. With a low CET rank, Akhil ends up in a long-term coaching institute, where he meets Kathyayani (Shivani Nagaram), a medical aspirant. Love blossoms between the two, leading to humorous encounters between their families. The narrative then fast-forwards over a decade, until 2025, highlighting how their relationship withstands time and circumstances.

Performances:

• Mouli Tanuj brings his signature deadpan style, quirky expressions, and sharp comic timing, making the character both funny and relatable.
• Shivani Nagaram charms as the girl-next-door and fits the role perfectly.
• Rajeev Kanakala delivers one of the film’s strongest performances, balancing humor with emotional depth.
• Supporting actors Satya Krishnan, Anitha Chowdary, and Kanchi add flavor with their natural performances and situational comedy.

Technical Aspects:
The film is modest in scale but adequate in presentation. Dialogues often click with youthful audiences, though a few jokes misfire. The screenplay moves briskly but lacks the heft needed to elevate the film beyond its comedy layer.

Strengths:

• Humorous one-liners and witty dialogues
• Relatable college-and-coaching setup
• Mouli Tanuj’s comedic energy
• Youth-friendly treatment

Weaknesses:

• Very thin storyline with almost no twists
• Repetitive humor in parts
• Limited emotional connect

Analysis:
Recent comedies like Jathi Ratnalu, DJ Tillu, and MAD proved that humor-driven films can succeed if supported by a solid story or quirky plot twists. Little Hearts, however, focuses almost entirely on gags, with the wafer-thin love story serving as a backdrop.

The age-gap angle (the heroine being older than the hero) is the only attempt at a twist, but it hardly adds depth. Still, certain episodes—like the viral video scene involving the heroine’s father—land well and leave the audience in splits.

For youngsters hooked on YouTube sketches, meme humor, and OTT-style comedy, the film works as lighthearted entertainment. For older or family audiences, it may feel like an overstretched skit rather than a complete cinematic ride.

Verdict:
Little Hearts entertains in bits and pieces, relying on humor more than story. Fun for teens and college-goers, but not for those expecting depth.

Bottom Line: Youthful comedy with laughs, but little substance.