Filmmaker Sailesh Kolanu, who impressed one and all with the original HIT and HIT: The Second Case, has remade the thriller in Bollywood. Titled HIT: The First Case, the film stars Rajkummar Rao and Sanya Malhotra. Based on a fictional investigative department Homicide Intervention Team, the film will keep the audiences at the edge of their seats.
In an exclusive conversation with PeepingMoon Entertainment Correspondent Rashita Sahni, filmmaker Sailesh Kolanu opened up about creating a new department for the film, casting Sanya and Rajkummar, the film clashing with Taapsee Pannu's Shabaash Mithu and more.
Excerpts from the interview:
The name ‘HIT’ is pretty intriguing. How did you finalize it?
First of all, when you hear the name ‘HIT’, it instantly catches your attention. It opens up interesting conversations among a lot of people. There’s like a deeper meaning to it because the department is called HIT, it’s called Homicide Intervention Cell. In movies, we also see the authorities come in after the crime has been done and the victim has suffered. But I wanted to have a department that works to stop something from happening. So when I say Homicide Intervention Team, I wanted it to stop murders from happening. For example, the first case that we’ve is the missing first case. If you see the difference between a missing person case and a murder case, it’s probably just of 1-2 days. That’s it. If somebody goes missing and you don’t find them for a couple of days, it’s more likely that something has happened to them. Even the police say the same. The first 24-48 hours are the most crucial when someone goes missing so I wanted a department that worked in that much time. So that was very interesting for me and that’s why I named it Homicide Intervention Team. Also, it’s a fictional department as I wanted to form my own rules.
It looks like a lot of research went into it. Take me through that!
Right. When I made the original, I had access to the Andra Pradesh Police department. I had the access to the headquarters so I did extensive research. Even though this is a fiction department and we say they belong to a particular state, we’ve to bring in rules and regulations. So what they say and wear in the film, it all feels real. At the same time, it’s happening in a department that does not exist so there was a very thin line that I had to follow.
Both Rajkummar Rao & Sanya Malhotra carry instant credibility. Were they always your always your first choice & how satisfied are you with their performance?
They were both my first choices and I said I’ll do the film only if I have these stars in it. The body of work that they have, whatever they’ve done, you can’t find it with other actors. They get into the skin of their character so much, that I forget I’m watching Sanya and Rajkummar. It was a test for me as well. If I went to them and they said no to it, then there must have been something wrong with the project. When they said yes, I started believing that we’ve something very substantial. And of course, I’m satisfied with their work. They’ve amplified my vision. That’s the beauty of having such actors on board.
Not all thrillers can make you be at the edge of your seat. According to you, what will work the most for HIT?
I think what will work the most for HIT are two things. First is that every 10 minutes, something will happen in the film that will surprise you and you’ll not see where the story is going and you wouldn’t have guessed. The second point is that the film has been shot very realistically and there’s logic behind everything. It will make the audience think because I believe in the intelligence of my audience.
HIT is clashing with Taapsee Pannu’s Shabaash Mithu. Do you feel it’ll affect the box office of HIT?
I feel that there’s room for two films in the industry. I personally feel that. Two films can release at the same time and do well and I really wish Shabaash Mithu does a really good job because I’m sure the team must have put in a lot of effort and I wish them the best. I hope both the films are a super hit. It’s a big weekend, you can go a watch both the films. And I’m not being diplomatic while answering that question. I feel even 3 films can release at the same time. The audiences are so enthusiastic to watch good films.
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