Director Mahesh Interview On Sudheer Babu's 'Hunt

‘Hunt' starring Nitro star Sudheer Babu in the lead role is produced by popular producer V. Ananda Prasad under bhavya creations banner. Directed by Mahesh, it stars Srikanth and Tamil hero Bharath in the lead roles. It will be released in theatres on January 26 as a Republic Day gift. On this occasion, Mahesh interacted with the media.

How did 'Hunt' start?

Mahesh: First it was fixed to do a film with Bhavya Creations. I am narrating stories to them. Initially, we thought of a love story, but we put the script aside in the stage and then we thought of a spy thriller. It was a complete action film.  I accidentally told you the idea of 'Hunt' one day. I wrote the story before the spy thriller. Since the script is ready, it can be started immediately and Sudheer Babu will be fine. I told him the story. The film was okayed in two days.

Is there any inspiration for the story of 'Hunt'?

Mahesh: The loss of memory for the hero has been seen in some films. What happened before and after the past is a drama? This is the drama. In our film 'Hunt', the drama is completely different & new. Many Hollywood movies say 'Born Ultimatum'. The process of forgetting and knowing the hero's past is there in many movies.

Memory loss means a lot of people think funny. How did you connect to the action?

Mahesh: If the hero has to solve the mystery... Situations become serious. Serious scenes come up in the drama when the do-or-die situation is encountered. We're making a new point. The audience coming out of the theater... He enjoys watching the climax. There is enough satis faction for the tension that has fallen so far.

What kind of support did hero Sudheer Babu give you?

Mahesh: He is a very committed person. I say it with all my heart... Sudheer Babu is honest. "This is how I feel. The final decision is yours."  Time, discipline but next level. There is no heroine in this story, it is a risk element. Some of the heroes who do commercial films think of some. He has put all such things aside and supported me a lot. 

There seems to be only one song in the film!

Mahesh: Yes, there is not a single song that is similar to a New Year's party song. I thought if the songs are played, it will be a diversion. Nowadays, there is no need for songs. The story of 'Khaidi' takes place at night. Not a single lady character is visible. The villains, the drugs, the lorry going from one place to another... Isn't that all! However, the audience appreciated it. Watch 'Vikram'. There is no heroine even in that film, the length is 2.50 hours. The audience watched. Those films gave confidence.

Bharath of 'Premaste' fame is coming to the Telugu audience after a long time. What is the reason for taking him?

Mahesh: He has a very important role in the film. Before Bharath, we also looked at some Telugu actors. But... Sudheer Babu and Bharath's combination seemed to be new. He is doing a series of films in Tamil. He liked the story very much. At that time, he was strong enough to do a Telugu film. 

The reason for taking on senior hero Srikanth?

Mahesh: Sudheer Babu has a role as a guide in the film. Advising the hero... There is a character that provides moral support. Who would do the role better? When you feel like... Srikanth garu remembered me. It would be nice to see him on screen. Taken for looks & screen presence. He is now being shown in old age characters. Apart from that, i showed up in 40 years plus age, better. 

How do you say 'Hunt' in a line?

Mahesh: A police officer who forgot his past in an accident... Knowing himself, how did he solve the mystery of a bad incident in his life? Is a movie. It's a method to remember everything and solve it. How the one who knows nothing solved it is a mystery. 

Sudheer Babu is a fitness freak. Has there been any special gym for this film?

Mahesh: He tried for a leaner look. He wanted to be thinner than the bulk body and look fit. We shortened his hairstyle. His body language is different. Before forgetting the past, he showed the difference behind it. After the loss of memory, the hero does not have the confidence that he had before. When he comes back to the end, the confidence has to come back. Sudheer Babu has shown that variation well. 

Foreign stunt choreographers were brought in for the action episodes. They were shot in Paris. Did the story demand? For elevation?

Mahesh: Let's say both. When we wanted to do a realistic action film, the action part should also be realistic. We wanted to do it without a body double. Sudheer Babu has been following the videos of the stunt choreographers team on Insta for a long time. He showed me. Then I started talking to them on video calls. Initially, the conversation was a bit difficult. Then everything was set. If you bring them to India... Our fighters don't sync with them. So, we went to Paris and shot there with fighters. We had a fight in the car parking area. It's a fight in India. But we did it abroad. 

How many fights are there in total in the film?

Mahesh: There are six. There are two chasing sequences. We have shot one or the other action part every day. After the release of the teaser and trailer, the fights are said to be good. It remains to be seen what kind of response the theatres will get after the release of the film.    

What kind of support did you get from producer V. Ananda Prasad and Bhavya Creations?

Mahesh: I did it in the direction department of Teja garu. My first film was in Bhavya Creations. Since then, Ananda Prasad garu has been acquainted with executive producer Anne Ravi garu. I have been treated very well. I have been very supportive. In 2020, I met Ravi garu thinking of a story. For different reasons, i couldn't do it for different reasons. But i was determined to do a film with me.  The first film was a failure at the box office. However, ananda prasad garu and ravi garu are the reason for making the film with such a huge cast and production cost. It is because of them that I am able to stand like this today.  

What was the reason behind the title 'Hunt'?

Mahesh: What's in the story ? That's what we wanted to say. We first thought of giving the Telugu title. But, it was not possible. Then we fixed 'Hunt'. 

What about Ghibran's music?

Mahesh: Re-recording is very important for action films. Earlier we thought of a lot of options. I always wanted to work with Ghibran. 'Run Raja Run', from 'Jill'! His sounding is different. He also listened to the story and agreed. Ghibran has been my first choice for this film from the beginning. 

Finally, what do you have to say about the film?

Mahesh: After watching the teaser and trailer... They are talking about stunts and fights. They are not the only ones in our film, but there are many more. I don't believe that films play out because of fights. Films stand out because of the emotional content. Sudheer Babu, Srikanth and Bharath's characters in 'Hunt' have a strong emotion. By the time the pre-climax and climax arrive, the audience gets emotional. The emotion there hunts the audience more than the fights. After watching the climax, they go out with a good feeling and a heavy heart. Cinematographer Arul Vincent has done well. This is going to be a film that will define Sudheer Babu's career. It will be a film that he will always remember.