HIT 2 director Sailesh Kolanu on violent films influencing real-life crimes: ‘Important to not glamourise violence’

The trailer of upcoming Telugu serial killer thriller HIT 2 was released on Wednesday. Going by the visuals, the film promises to be a gripping investigation thriller with a good dose of violence. At the trailer launch event, the film’s director Sailesh Kolanu was asked about the general perception that violent films influence real-life crimes. Sailesh said that it’s very important to not glamourise violence.

HIT 2 follows police officer Krishna Dev aka KD (Adivi Sesh) of the Telangana Police’s Homicide Intervention Team (HIT) and how he deals with a new case that sees him hunting a serial killer who butchers women into parts and displays them for fun. Many noted the film had similarities with a recent real-life murder.

Pointing out the recent murder of Shraddha Walkar, a reporter asked if violent crimes shown in movies could influence real-life crimes. “There are two things. When you’re presenting such crimes, it’s very important to not glamourise violence. We took that care very responsibly. We didn’t stylise the crime we’re depicting in the film. This is a story based on the conflict about good winning over evil,” Sailesh said.

Talking about the need for showing such violent crimes on screen, he said that cinema is a reflection of the events that take place in a society. “When we show such crimes and also make people connect with the aspect of how good wins over evil, we as filmmakers hope the good will inspire audiences. No filmmaker will make a film hoping the evil aspect will inspire anyone. Secondly, criminals with such psyche don’t have to get inspired from cinema. Anything they come across can inspire them,” he explained. He went on to add that creative channels can’t be shut just because somebody might get influenced.

At the event, Adivi Sesh revealed that he will be part of HIT 3, the third part in the franchise. HIT 2, which is gearing up for release on December 2, also stars Meenakshi Chaudhary, Rao Ramesh, Tanikella Bharani and Komalee Prasad among others.