HIT the first case review; in brief it makes a lasting effect. The Rajkummar Rao movie is a well-made thriller that keeps you thinking right up until the very end, which is a trait that modern whodunnits seem to have lost.
The 136-minute thriller starring Rajkummar and Sanya Malhotra is an homage to classic Bollywood suspense films and will have you riveted to your seat.
The movie is much more than just a clever, though slightly over-the-top murder mystery. HIT – the first case, follows Vikram (Rajkummar), a police officer, who struggles to deal with the demons from his past as he navigates the horrors his job throws at him. Vikram is diagnosed with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) due to the violent death of his wife.
The protagonist is thrown in at the deep end, after a missing persons case causes his girlfriend Neha (a forensic expert played by Sanya) to go missing, as well. Now, Vikram has to race against time to find out how these cases are linked, and can he save both the girls.
The HIT begins rather tentatively with three separate tracks that act as preludes, introducing us to the characters and the back stories. But they seem rather disconnected and hence, the first half hour of the film feels too loose. However, it isn’t boring, even if it lacks context initially.
But as the investigation begins, the film really begins to come into its own. It throws red herrings in your face, but quite subtly, and you begin to doubt every character quite soon. HIT The First Case stands out from the sea of Hindi remakes of south Indian movies.
HIT the first case Review; It has all the ingredients to Make a lasting impression at the Box Office
HIT’s adrenaline factor can be favourably contrasted with some of the other recent, top-notch Bollywood thrillers, most notably Drishyam (interestingly, another south remake).
\For almost two hours, the tension-inducing background score, action, and suspense keep you on the edge of your seat. Additionally, it does a great job of portraying the protagonist’s genius. The plot does not denigrate or portray the other cops as dumb fools, as many movies have done, by demonstrating his intelligence. Vikram is only a notch above the rest, albeit everyone is capable to varied degrees.
Although the portrayal of PTSD and panic episodes is good, it does quickly get monotonous. You can only observe someone so many times.
Rajkummar Rao. The actor has to shoulder much of the burden of the film as it almost completely revolves around him. Aiding him are competent actors like Dalip Tahil and Milind Gunaji, who all do their part well, it is Rajkummar, who steals the show. The tortured-yet-brilliant cop investigating a puzzling case is a genre in itself by now. We have seen this trope far too often to expect something new. He brings out the vulnerability of the character, including his fears and hesitation and not merely his anger, which many other such portrayals focus on.
Vikram is battling his demons, and you feel for him, almost beginning to think like him as the film progresses. It truly takes you into the mind of your protagonist. I do have a complaint though. Sanya Malhotra has too little screen time. Whatever scenes she gets, she does justice to them. But I do wish, the film had spent more time establishing the lead pair’s bond so that her going missing really feels big.