Adivi Sesh is back with another investigative thriller, HIT 2, which releases tomorrow. Meenakshi Chaudhary plays the leading lady, and Sailesh Kolanu directs the sequel. Prashanti Tipirneni is producing the film, and Natural star Nani is the presenter. Ahead of the release, we had a brief interaction with Adivi Sesh, and here is the transcript.
HIT was a big success. What pressures you had while acting HIT 2?
When the makers approached me with the second part, I told them I don’t like being part of another actor’s franchise. Also, I felt it would be like snatching away a chance from Vishwak Sen, who is developing. Sailesh then said he thought about having different actors in the franchise who would come together as a universe to solve a massive case. So that’s how it started, and I had these apprehensions. It was a new experience for me.
What point in HIT2’s plot excited you?
Generally, in these films, the whodunit is the essential element, but I liked the reason why the killer commits a crime in this film. I found the reason very interesting, and I don’t mean to justify it. But, the reason would create curiosity.
There was a complaint that the second half of HIT was not that great. Did Sailesh correct it?
Frankly speaking, HIT 2 needs to be seen without an intermission. The big curse Indian cinema has is that one expects a solid end for both interval and climax. The first half of HIT 2 would be normal, but the movie would go to the next level in the second half. The story would be set up in the first half, and there would be a proper payoff.
Could you tell us about the Hindi release?
We are planning big for the Hindi version release, and I will be dubbing for my role. If we release the Hindi version on the same day, we might not get a good number of shows. We don’t want to release the film for the namesake. We will market the film by traveling to important cities. The tentative release date will be December 30th.
Is there any pressure to choose scripts as heroes are after the PAN Indian image?
Our benefit is south movies are doing well. During Major, we went to a cantonment in Chandigarh and asked for permission for an event. They denied it, saying they won’t allow film stars. Then I said we are doing the film on 26/11 hero Major Sundeep. Again they said they wouldn’t allow Bollywood. I replied I was from Hyderabad, and they welcomed me. South cinema has great respect among North people.
How will be the screenplay and twists in HIT 2?
There used to be multiple questions and mysteries in the thrillers I did, and coming to HIT 2, there would be only a single question. I liked the fact that many layers are created with a single driving factor.
Will you continue doing thrillers?
I got more recognition with Kshanam among the Hindi audience. Though they liked my Major, they talked more about Kshanam. I did supporting and negative roles in my starting days, but I thought some other artists would overshadow me if I continued doing them. Hence I started my journey with thrillers, a risky genre back then.