105 not out for Hansika Motwani

Motwani breaks down how the team filmed the one-shot movie, 105 Minutes, after eight-day rehearsals

Quite a few actors and filmmakers have attempted solo-performance films over the years. Hansika Motwani points out that what makes 105 Minutes experimental is that it not only boasts of a solo performance, but is also a one-shot movie. Over a runtime of 105 minutes, Raju Dussa’s directorial offering tells the story of a woman encountering supernatural events. “The story revolves around what happens with a woman in a bungalow over one night. A lot of it is about her headspace. It’s a single-shot thriller. It took eight days of rehearsals, and then we shot it in one go,” says Motwani.

In the past, Indian cinema saw some one-shot films, including Agadam (2014), Heegondhu Dina (2018) and Iravin Nizhal (2022). Motwani counts 105 Minutes as her “toughest film, mentally and physically.” The Telugu offering was shot last August at a Hyderabad bungalow. During the rehearsals, the team coordinated the chronology of the actor’s movements, her pace and camera angles. She says, “The very fact that I had never done anything like this till date made me say yes to 105 Minutes. There are a few stitches in the film, here and there [to adjust the runtime].”

Motwani has attempted diverse genres in her 21-year career. But to her, 105 Minutes will be the biggest learning experience. What has been her most important take-away from it? “This film has taught me that actors lack patience. I remember there was a 35-minute stitch-in take, which I had to do, and it was so difficult. I learnt so much about my own abilities. I have learnt more about cinema in this one outing than I have in the past many years,” she reflects.

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