HIT: An engaging thriller which fizzles in the end

Duration: 126 mins

Director: Sailesh Kolanu

Cast: Vishwak Sen, Ruhani Sharma, Murali Sharma, Hari Teja,

Bhanuchander and others

Music: Vivek Sagar

Rating: 3

Hyderabad: For some of us, nothing can beat the excitement of watching a good psychological thriller. Our innate curiosity about crime and violence and the adrenaline rush one experiences while watching them have made them popular.

Like in most thrillers, in HIT, too, things are not always what they seem. Vikram (Vishwak Sen), a tough investigative officer in the HIT (Homicide Intervention Team), suffers from post-traumatic stress and is advised to take a break from work. However, a case of a missing girl, Preethi, comes to his notice. Things get complicated when an officer is kidnapped. The scars of his troubled past haven’t left him yet, but he believes that his work is the only thing that keeps him sane. The rest of the story is about how Vikram unravels the mystery and solves the case.

More than any other genre, thrillers work around the principle of cause and effect. To be fair, the film stays true to its genre and on most occasions, the screenplay is engaging and holds our attention. However, it loses it’s momentum in the latter part of the second half, as some scenes get monotonous. But the plot twists, red herrings, and cliffhangers keep the audience hooked to their seats. In spite of all these, the final revelation doesn’t really hit the right chords.

On the technical front, Vivek Sagar deserves a special mention for his riveting background score which uplifts the film. The editing by Garry B.H is crisp and the cinematography by S. Mani Kandan enhances the mood of the film. Vishwak Sen showcases a myriad of emotions and is impressive throughout. Ruhani Sharma of Chi La Sow fame plays Neha and although she is a crucial link in the story, she doesn’t have much screen presence. Debutant Sailesh Kolanu, who wrote and directed the film, is impressive, too. He wonderfully blends the suspense of the film with the emotional turmoil of its lead character. Actors like Murali Sharma and Bhanuchander are good in their limited roles. However, Hari Teja’s character as a divorcee doesn’t blend with the overall scheme of things.

The film also dwells on what people are willing to do to keep their loved ones out of trouble even if their conscience tells them otherwise. Although the film falters in the final moments, it still makes for an engrossing watch.