'HIT 2', produced by Natural Star Nani and Prashanti Tipirneni, was released in theatres this Friday.
Story
Krishna Dev (Adivi Sesh), a cop, is charged with investigating the case of a woman named Sanjana who was recently murdered brutally. Her body was cut into multiple parts by a serial killer. In a gory turn, KD finds that the body parts of other women have also been mixed with Sanjana's. The atrocious incident is a reminder of what happened recently in Delhi. One Aaftab Poonawala killed his girlfriend Shraddha Walkar in a similar fashion recently.
KD is investigating the case at a time when he is in a live-in relationship with Aarya (Meenakshi Chaudhary). He has also developed solid differences with DGP Nageswara Rao (Rao Ramesh).
Amidst a threat to his girlfriend and a boss who is not supporting him, KD must trace the killer as soon as possible.
Performances
In 'Major', Adivi Sesh proved his mettle in a role that demanded understated heroism. In 'HIT 2', the characterization is starkly different. He once again avoids an archetypal performance with finesse. This one may not be on par with his 'Kshanam' and 'Goodachari' acts, though.
Meenakshi Chaudhary looks good in a largely romantic part. Rao Ramesh is routine. Posani Krishna Murali and Komalee Prasad have some well-written parts. The actor who plays the villain is familiar to the audience. Since naming him would be a spoiler, we are not going to do that. One thing is for sure: he deserves a pat on the back.
Technical aspects
The BGM and songs have been done by two different sets of composers. John Stewart Eduri composes the background score, building on his Bollywood experience. The 'Mirzapur' composer adds heft to a lot of scenes.
Director of Photography S Manikandan of 'Geetha Govindam' fame makes even typical shots look special, aided by Manisha A Dutt's production design. Garry BH's editing is a plus. The running time of 120 minutes is proof that the makers were not over-confident even though Sesh and director Sailesh Kolanu are in good form.
Analysis
The Homicide Intervention Team is back. The attendant police procedural track is back. Forensic analysis is back. The 'whydunit weds whodunit' theme is back. 'HIT 2' benefits so much from the world built by 'HIT 1'. Even though the first 30 minutes could have done the world-building in a far better way, we tend to forgive the rush.
The investigative field job entails tough times for KD. The attempts to add urgency work in the second half more than the first half. The male protagonist doesn't look agitated enough until he has to.
But the film is not dogged enough. Like 'HIT: The First Case', it is weighed down by some misses. The romantic song between KD and his girlfriend is cliched. We don't understand why KD checks people's Fila shoes when even a bird-brained serial killer would most definitely discontinue using the shoe after executing a crime. And what does it take to notice the date mentioned on a mutilated hand? It should be the first thing even a half-decent cop must do.
Despite some flaws in the investigation track, the last 30 minutes make it up.
Closing Remarks
'HIT 2' is not a perfect thriller. For all its misses, it still makes for a good watch, thanks to its performances, nice technical values, and the 'why' part of the crime.
