Rajkumar Rao and Sanya Malhotra are two actors you would pay to watch every day. Though I don’t have a soft corner for remakes, the lead pair allured me to watch HIT: The First Case in the theater.

It is a crime thriller, a genre Indians are not used to watching on a platform other than OTT. The last well-made investigative drama I saw in a cinema hall was Drishyam, way back in 2015. Interestingly, it was also a remake.

For starters, this Rajkumar Rao starrer will come back for another part, which will also be a remake. Here’s a summary of my review of HIT: The First Case.

HIT: The First Case Review Summary

Seen from a general eye, HIT: The First Case is a gripping crime thriller. However, a detailed critical analysis uncovers it has nothing new to offer, barring an entrancing investigation. Keep reading my review to find out about its pros and cons.

HIT: The First Case Movie Synopsis

Vikram works in the Homicide Intervention Team (HIT) and is the best officer in the department. While on holiday to overcome a haunting past, he is informed of her girlfriend going missing. However, he is assigned another case of a missing girl.

Can Vikram crack the investigation and unfurl the mystery behind the two similar incidents?

HIT: The First Case stars Rajkumar Rao (Vikram), Sanya Malhotra (Neha), Dalip Tahil, Shilpa Shukla (Sheela), and Milind Gunaji (Ibrahim), among others, in lead roles. The movie is directed by Sailesh Kolanu. It is the official remake of the 2020 Telugu film by the same name.

What Works for HIT: The First Case?

Moments of Thrill

The movie has several moments of thrill to stimulate you and keep you hooked to the screen. It explores criminal cases after setting the right ambiance. 

At times, people mistake thrill for pace and use both terms interchangeably. However, a pacy screenplay doesn’t guarantee sensation. Something similar happens with HIT: The First Case. It has the speed but is not consistently thrilling.

Exhilaration comes in patches and then leaves without informing. While you would want the delivery to be more wholesome, HIT: The First Case doesn’t really stay inside your skin for a long time.

Twists and Turns

Thanks to the writing of the original Telugu film, HIT: The First Case offers numerous twists and turns that are enough to make you think. Further, the zigzags of the story keep you on the edge of your seat for the most part.

Performances

Rajkumar Rao leads the pack of actors in HIT: The First Case. As a fierce officer, broken friend, and decent lover, he expresses several shades of his acting skills. Playing Vikram on the screen allows Rao to improvise and meander into familiar realms.

You wouldn’t easily notice anything new in his act due to Rao’s glorious past. He has been an officer, lover, a friend and played all kinds of roles. What makes Vikram from HIT: The First Case unique? From what I could draw, it is the freedom to be hot-blooded.

The character allows Rao to throw all the anger inside him at once. Mostly, he is restrained and cold, but in HIT: The First Case, the Badhaai Do actor is allowed to break loose and unshackle.

Sanya Malhotra, an actress who believes in her unparalleled talent, is the sweet corner of HIT: The First Case. Her charm is soothing, and presence mesmerizing. The movie retains its appeal for as long as she remains on the screen. But I wish the makers had utilized her better.

Shilpa Shukla, who plays Sheela in HIT: The First Case, was the show stealer for me. We have seen her in movies like Chak De India, B.A. Pass, Bhindi Bazaar, etc., and she is known for taking up unique roles. The zealous and versatile actress does a wonderful job in HIT: The First Case. Specifically, she aces somniferous scenes.

Everybody else, including Dalip Tahil and Milind Gunaji, deliver acts to their ability. Milind’s comeback to the big screen might not be trendy, but it is noteworthy, without a doubt.

The actor who plays Rohit does well to effortlessly lend a supporting hand to Rajkumar Rao. 

Intentions

Some scenes in HIT: The First Case make you feel happy. Especially when the lead actor goes against the patriarchal norms of society. Also, the film tries to touch on the issues of gender inclusivity and acceptance.

Pace

Rajkumar Rao and Sanya Malhotra’s HIT: The First Case has a well-paced runtime. It never feels dreary or slow. Yes, thrills and chills are not as prevalent, but one cannot call it boring.

What Doesn’t Work for HIT: The First Case?

Predictable

If you are an ardent lover of crime thrillers, you are likely to catch the culprit before the police. Some things are messy, and probably a different approach would have made mysteries more believable.

Underutilization of Sanya Malhotra

It is essential to point out how poorly Sanya Malhotra has been used in HIT: The First Case. An actress of her caliber deserves more than what she is being offered. I can understand the scope to raise the significance of her character was less, but an alternate plot could have come into play.

What’s the point of having her in a film just to be part of some songs and deliver easy-peasy dialogues?

Some Fallacies

Like the usual thrillers, HIT: The First Case is also a tad short on plugging the gaps. I don’t know how they could not right the wrongs since it is a remake. It can be called a fervent movie but not an intricate thriller.

Goosebumps Not Guaranteed

HIT: The First Case has no goosebump-worthy scenes (Felt my duty to tell you). At the most, you will hold your breath, but your hair will stay calm.

Final Word

Having watched and judged it in all aspects, I find HIT: The First Case a decent micro-thriller that can be seen in cinema halls. It has the thrill, quality performances, and a somewhat intriguing screenplay. However, if you are seeking perfection, stay away.

Sign up to receive awesome content in your inbox regularly.

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

Select list(s):

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *