Director: Sailesh Kolanu
Cast: Nani, Shraddha Srinath, Samuthirakani
Run Time: 2 hours 37 minutes
Release Date: 1 May 2025
Genre: Crime, Thriller
After the success of HIT: The First Case and HIT: The Second Case, the third installment in the HIT universe has finally arrived—HIT 3, this time featuring Natural Star Nani in the lead role. Directed by Sailesh Kolanu, the creator of the HITverse, With high expectations riding on both the franchise and Nani’s performance, the big question is does HIT 3 live up to the standard set by its predecessors? Let’s find out.
story
Arjun Sarkaar (Nani) is a brutal cop who takes charge of the Vizag HIT team. He suffers from high blood pressure and anger issues, which often affect his personal and professional life. Arjun is also on a search online for a girl to marry. One day, he meets Mrudula (Shraddha Srinath), who becomes interested in him.
On one side, Arjun is trying to handle his personal life. On the other side, he brutally kills a man by tying him upside down and cutting his throat and shockingly, he even records the entire murder on camera.Why did Arjun Sarkaar commit this murder? What’s the reason behind his actions? How is this connected to the third case? To find out, you need to watch HIT 3.
Performance
Nani delivers one of his most intense performances as Arjun Sarkaar. He completely transforms into the role of a short-tempered and emotionally disturbed cop. His expressions, body language, and angry outbursts are very convincing and bring depth to the character. His performance is definitely the major highlight of HIT 3.
Shraddha Srinath, who plays Mrudula, does a decent job. Though her screen time is limited, she brings warmth and calmness to the story, offering a good contrast to Nani’s intense role. Samuthirakani, as Arjun Sarkaar’s father, also does a decent job in his minimal role. Overall, the remaining artists performances are solid and support the serious tone of the film well.
Analysis
HIT 3 starts on an interesting note with the arrest of Arjun Sarkaar, which builds curiosity. The flashback portion begins soon after, and Nani’s introduction is impactful. The CGI of the big vulture stands out and adds visual value. The film picks up pace once Arjun Sarkaar commits his first murder, keeping the audience engaged. However, the heroine’s entry and the love track feel routine and forced, slowing down the momentum. Even the interval doesn’t land with the impact it should have and lacks elevation.
The second half begins well but becomes predictable and lacks emotional depth, making some scenes feel stretched and boring. The brutal violence in these portions is the only aspect that holds the viewer’s attention. The climax, however, is intense and helps the film recover to an extent. The cameos, especially Adivi Sesh, bring energy and connect the film to the larger HIT universe.
Overall, HIT 3 has moments of thrill but fails to deliver a complete thriller experience. The director seems more focused on expanding the franchise with violence and cameos than building a strong, engaging story. Much of the plot is left for the audience to connect on their own.
Verdict
HIT 3 is a one-time watchable film that works mainly because of Nani’s strong performance, the brutal action sequences, and the impactful cameos. However, apart from these highlights, the film falls flat in terms of emotional depth, storytelling, and engagement. It thrills in parts but doesn’t fully satisfy.
Rating: 2.5/5
