Indian auteur Samjad, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Praveen Viswanath, has crafted a film that delights in brutal efficiency and old-school charm. 'Half' centers on twin half-vampire siblings, portrayed by Ranjith Sajeev and Aiswarya Raj, who are left for dead after a highway robbery. Their supernatural resilience allows them to recover and embark on a path of gruesome revenge against their attackers, unleashing a torrent of blood and bone-crunching action.

Samjad's directorial philosophy for 'Half' was clear from the outset: to deliver a visceral, no-frills experience. "What if we take a classic vampire action thriller and execute it in a completely raw, grounded way without a single frame of slow motion?" he posed, explaining that this approach felt visually fresh and exciting. To achieve the film's impactful fight sequences, Samjad enlisted the talents of Very Tri Yulisman, the acclaimed fight coordinator behind modern action classics like 'The Raid 2' and 'The Night Comes for Us.'

Beyond its contemporary action, 'Half' also pays homage to classic cinema. Samjad deliberately sought to evoke the aesthetic of '80s and '90s films, utilizing zoom lenses and traditional camera techniques to give it a timeless feel. He explained, "We tried to make the film look like it was shot on an old camera in the olden way, with the old equipment and hard work."

The production of 'Half' was nothing short of miraculous, overcoming a series of formidable challenges. Filming in a desert environment, the crew contended with extreme heat, with temperatures soaring to 56 Celsius (132.8 Fahrenheit), and unpredictable weather that included sudden hailstorms that destroyed sets. In an astonishing turn of events, production was halted for two months when an India-Pakistan war broke out, forcing the cast and crew to evacuate from the hazardous region before eventually returning to complete the film.

Despite these hurdles, Samjad embraced the creative freedom offered by his half-vampire protagonists. He meticulously blended European and traditional Indian vampire lore, developing unique rules for his characters, particularly concerning their healing factor. Unlike full vampires, his half-vampires do not burn in sunlight, but their regenerative abilities are suppressed by it, only activating in shadow. This innovative approach allowed for fresh storytelling within established mythological frameworks.

'Half' has garnered significant attention on the festival circuit, enjoying high-energy screenings at TIFF Midnight Madness and Fantastic Fest. It is also slated to play at the upcoming Sitges Film Festival and is currently seeking U.S. distribution, promising an exciting future for this hard-hitting vampire brawler.