🎬 HIT: The Third Case – Nani's Darkest Role Yet in the HIT Universe
Released on May 1, 2025, HIT: The Third Case marks the third installment in Sailesh Kolanu’s gripping crime thriller franchise. With Nani stepping into the role of Arjun Sarkaar, the film delves deeper into the murky world of crime and justice, offering a darker, more intense narrative than its predecessors.(ap7am.com, FilmiBeat)
🔍 Plot Overview
Arjun Sarkaar, a top cop from the Homicide Intervention Team (HIT), finds himself imprisoned under mysterious circumstances. Upon release, he's thrust into a harrowing investigation involving a sinister cult named CTK (Capture, Torture, Kill). This cult is linked to elite-driven drug production derived from victims’ hormones. As Arjun unravels connections to ritual killings and organ trafficking, he discovers that his ally, Samuel Joseph, is actually the mastermind. The film concludes with Arjun avenging the plot and honoring fallen officer ACP Dhanya Mohan, while hinting at the next installment set in Chennai. (Gulte, Indiatimes)
🎭 Cast & Crew
Nani as Arjun Sarkaar
Srinidhi Shetty as Mrudula
Rao Ramesh, Samuthirakani, Surya Sreenivas
Special Appearances: Karthi, Adivi Sesh(FilmiBeat)
Director: Sailesh Kolanu
Music: Mickey J. Meyer
Cinematography: Sanu John Varghese
Editing: Karthika Srinivas(nanihit3.com, Wikipedia, FilmiBeat)
The film was produced by Prashanti Tipirneni under Wall Poster Cinema and Unanimous Productions. (FilmiBeat)
💰 Box Office Performance
Despite mixed reviews, HIT: The Third Case became the fourth highest-grossing Telugu film of the year, earning ₹75.61 crore by its 15th day in theaters. However, it witnessed a significant 80% drop in box office collections during its second week after release. (The Times of India, The Times of India)
📝 Critical Reception
The film received a mixed bag of reviews:(IMDb)
The Times of India: Rated it 3.5/5, praising Nani's intense performance and the film's gripping narrative, while cautioning about its dark and graphic content. (Indiatimes)
Greatandhra: Criticized the film for excessive gore and a stretched-out plot, stating that while Nani delivers a solid performance, the film may appeal only to fans of stylized, mindless action. (www.greatandhra.com)
Rotten Tomatoes: Some critics felt that the film deviated from the franchise's original intent, turning into a bloated action schlockfest that glorifies police brutality. (Rotten Tomatoes)
📺 OTT Release
For those who missed the theatrical release, HIT: The Third Case is set to stream on Netflix starting June 5, 2025. (Indiatimes)
🎵 Music
The soundtrack, composed by Mickey J. Meyer, includes notable singles like "Prema Velluva" and "Abki Baar Arjun Sarkaar," which have garnered positive responses from audiences. (Wikipedia)
🔮 What's Next?
The film concludes with a hint at the next installment set in Chennai, suggesting that the HIT Universe will continue to expand, possibly introducing new characters and darker narratives. (Indiatimes)
HIT: The Third Case stands as a testament to the evolving landscape of Telugu cinema, pushing boundaries in storytelling and character development. While it may not be everyone's cup of tea due to its intense content, it undeniably adds depth to the HIT franchise.(Rotten Tomatoes)
