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HIT: The Third Case

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HIT: The Third Case
Theatrical release poster
Directed bySailesh Kolanu
Written bySailesh Kolanu
Produced by
Starring
CinematographySanu John Varghese
Edited byKarthika Srinivas
Music byMickey J. Meyer
Production
companies
Release date
  • 1 May 2025 (2025-05-01)
Running time
157 minutes[1]
CountryIndia
LanguageTelugu
Budget₹60–65 crore[2]
Box office₹109.77 crore[3]

HIT: The Third Case (or simply HIT 3)[a] is a 2025 Indian Telugu-language action thriller film[4][5] written and directed by Sailesh Kolanu. Produced by Prashanti Tipirneni under Wall Poster Cinema and Unanimous Productions, the film stars Nani and Srinidhi Shetty in the lead roles. The film has music composed by Mickey J. Meyer, cinematography handled by Sanu John Varghese and editing by Karthika Srinivas.

It is third installment in the HIT Universe and the sequel to HIT: The Second Case (2022). The film was officially announced in December 2022. Principal photography commenced in September 2024. Filming took place in Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, and Jammu and Kashmir. HIT: The Third Case was released worldwide on 1 May 2025 in theaters. The film received mixed to positive reviews from the critics and audience praising the performance of the lead actors but criticising the story.[6] The film is currently one of the highest-grossing Telugu film of the year.

Plot

[edit]

SP Arjun Sarkaar is a ruthless cop who commits a heinous murder, is imprisoned for an unspecified crime. In jail, he is saved by a fellow prisoner named Samuel Joseph from being harmed by inmates he had previously arrested. Later, Arjun narrates his story to Joseph through a series of flashbacks.

Following the events of HIT: The Second Case, Arjun is posted to HIT Visakhapatnam in place of Krishnadev "KD". He murders a civilian by hanging him upside down in a forest and slitting his jugular vein. He further records the act. Afterwards, he is assigned to investigate his own crime, further revealing that organs were removed from the corpse after the murder. Meanwhile, he begins a romantic relationship with Mrudula, a woman he met through a matrimonial site set up by his father. His colleague, ASP Varsha IPS, grows suspicious of him and starts tracking him, witnessing Arjun commit another murder in the same manner. Confronted by her, Arjun justifies his actions, revealing that the two civilians killed by him were pedophiles and undeserving to live.

A flashback reveals that when Arjun was posted to HIT Jammu and Kashmir, he investigated a similar murder and apprehended the killer after a fierce fight with his accomplices, only to discover later that a similar murder was committed in Bihar, where the culprit was apprehended. On inquiring about him, Arjun found that both killers were members of a dark web cult organisation called CTK (Capture, Torture, Kill), which required members to record two such murders to join. Following the suicide of the first killer in custody and the death of two of his accomplices who were Azad Kashmir activists, Arjun was transferred to HIT Visakhapatnam.[b] Having decided to infiltrate CTK, he committed the murders, uploaded the videos, and gained membership. Tracking a CTK killer to Jaipur, Arjun prevents another murder and apprehends the killer, but is stabbed. As he recovers, CTK’s leader, Alpha, welcomes him into the organisation.

Now a member of CTK, Arjun learns the group meets annually, with the next meeting set to take place in Naharlagun, Arunachal Pradesh. With the approval of his superior, DGP Nageswara Rao IPS, he leads a team, including Varsha, to dismantle CTK. Further, Mrudula is revealed to be an undercover police officer reporting to Nageshwara Rao and joins the team. With Arjun initially hurt by the revelation, Mrudula admits that she kept it a secret from him due to his policy against dating colleagues. With Mrudula revealing that Arjun was the reason why she became a police officer due to punishing eve teasers who harassed her sister many years ago, Arjun reconciles with her. On reaching Naharlagun, Arjun splits off from his team, giving them orders to track him to CTK's secret hideout. However, Alpha’s decoy misled Arjun's team and the local police to three different places. SI Diwakar, one of the team members, is captured by Alpha's men. Meanwhile, at the CTK hideout, it is revealed to be an old Burmese Palace, where Arjun witnesses brutal killings of the hostages, including that of a young lady and is forced to participate in a deadly fight among new recruits to prove his loyalty. He survives and secretly sends radio signals to his team by tagging his pet vulture with a transmitter.

As Alpha grows suspicious of a traitor, Arjun manipulates the situation to protect his cover. During a ritualistic killing, Arjun intervenes to save a nine-month-old child and attempts to free the surviving hostages, sparking a violent confrontation with CTK members. Meanwhile, Arjun's team arrive at the CTK hideout by tracking his vulture. With assistance from his team members and backup from the Hyderabad HIT team, Arjun defeats and eliminates Alpha and all the CTK members in a climactic battle. He reveals that Alpha’s brother was the killer he apprehended in Jaipur. The operation uncovers CTK’s true purpose: harvesting hormonal glands from victims in a state of fear for organ trafficking. Using the hormonal glands, they were sent to a Swedish pharmaceutical company for synthesising a highly potent drug that the rich and powerful use as Viagra.

With knowledge that the whole conspiracy is orchestrated by Samuel Joseph, the prisoner Arjun confided in, Arjun reveals he entered jail deliberately to kill Joseph, which he does. The film concludes with the revelation that the young lady who was killed in the CTK hideout was ACP Dhanya Mohan IPS, who infiltrated the group by allowing herself to be captured by them. However, she sacrificed herself to save the child, earning Arjun’s respect. He dedicates the case’s success to her memory.

The mid-credits scene introduces a new police officer in Chennai, ACP Veerappan IPS, discovering a body hidden in a truck at a checkpoint, hinting at HIT: The Fourth Case.

Cast

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  • Nani as SP Arjun Sarkaar IPS, HIT Visakhapatnam
  • Srinidhi Shetty as ASP Mrudula IPS, HIT Visakhapatnam
  • Surya Srinivas as ASP Ravi IPS, HIT Jammu and Kashmir
  • Adil Pala as SI Zubair Ahmed Khan, HIT Jammu and Kashmir
  • Rao Ramesh as ADGP Nageswara Rao IPS, HIT Visakhapatnam
  • Samuthirakani as Arjun Sarkaar's father
  • Komalee Prasad as ASP Varsha IPS, HIT Visakhapatnam
  • Nepoleon as ADGP Rajan Sarkaar IPS, Arjun's grandfather (photo)
  • Ravindra Vijay as Samuel Joseph
  • Prateik Babbar as Alpha
  • Amit Sharma as Alpha's brother
  • Chaithu Jonnalagadda as SI Diwakar, HIT Visakhapatnam
  • Tisca Chopra as ADGP Karnika Ahuja IPS, HIT Jammu and Kashmir
  • Adivi Sesh as SP Krishna Dev "KD" IPS, HIT Hyderabad (cameo)
  • Maganti Srinath as SP Abhilash IPS, HIT Hyderabad (cameo)
  • Karthi as ACP Veerappan IPS, HIT Chennai (cameo)

Production

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Development

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In December 2022, HIT: The Third Case was announced during the credits of HIT: The Second Case with Nani in the lead role.[7][8] In February 2024, it was announced that #Nani32 was going to be directed by Sujeeth and produced by D. V. V. Danayya under DVV Entertainment.[9][10] However due to production delays for OG, the film was postponed and in September 2024, it was announced that #Nani32 was going to be HIT: The Third Case directed by Sailesh Kolanu with Prashanti Tipirneni and Nani returning to produce the film under Wall Poster Cinema and Nani's newly announced production house, Unanimous Productions.[11][12]

Filming

[edit]

Principal photography commenced for the film in September 2024 in Hyderabad.[13][14] The second schedule commenced in October 2024, in Visakhapatnam.[15][16] Filming resumed in December 2024 in Jammu and Kashmir.[17][18] In February 2025, it was reported that filming was scheduled to be finished by March 2025.[19][20]

Music

[edit]
HIT: The Third Case
Soundtrack album by
Mickey J. Meyer
Recorded2024–25
GenreFeature film soundtrack
LanguageTelugu
LabelSaregama Telugu
ProducerMickey J. Meyer
Mickey J. Meyer chronology
Mr. Bachchan
(2024) 		HIT: The Third Case
(2025)

The music was composed by Mickey J. Meyer, in his second collaboration with Nani after Shyam Singha Roy (2021) and first collaboration with Sailesh Kolanu. The audio rights of the film were acquired by Saregama Telugu.[21]

The first single, "Prema Velluva", was released on 24 March 2025.[22] The second single, "Abki Baar Arjun Sarkaar", was released on 9 April 2025.[23] The third single, "Thanu" was released on 25 April 2025. The fourth single, "Poratame 3.0", was released on 6 May 2025.

Track listing
No.TitleLyricsSinger(s)Length
1."Prema Velluva"Krishna KanthSid Sriram, Nutana Mohan4:12
2."Abki Baar Arjun Sarkaar"Krishna KanthAnurag Kulkarni, Sai Charan, Hymath, Lokesh, Ritesh G. Rao, Akhil Chandra, Harsha Vardhan, Saatvik G. Rao4:09
3."Thanu"RaghavAnirudh Ravichander4:08
4."Poratame 3.0"Krishna KanthKarthik, Sanvi Sudeep, Cizzy (Rap)2:59

Release

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Theatrical

[edit]

HIT: The Third Case was released on 1 May 2025.[24] It received an "A" (adults only) certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification due to its bloody violence.[25] However, some cuts were made and some scenes were blurred to tone down the excessive gore.[26] It was also the second film in the franchise to receive this certificate.

Home Media

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The post-theatrical streaming rights of the film were acquired by Netflix for ₹54 crores.[27]

Reception

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Critical response

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HIT: The Third Case received mixed reviews from critics, with praise for Nani's performance and the film's action sequences, but criticism for excessive violence and weak narrative.

Avad Mohammed of OTTPlay gave 3.5/5 stars and wrote "Nani's boldest avatar is the selling point of the action drama. Coupled with some exciting cameos, the latest addition to the HIT franchise lives up to all the hype created."[28] Sanjay Ponnappa of India Today gave 2.5/5 stars and wrote "Despite the drawbacks, 'HIT 3' can still be considered an entertainer and a fan-feast for most of Nani’s admirers. Not for those expecting to see Nani in his 'chocolate-boy' avatar, though!"[29] BVS Prakash of Deccan Chronicle gave 2/5 stars and wrote "[…] instead of an engaging narrative, we get a stretched-out cop saga that abandons logic and emotional depth for blood, gore, and brute force."[30]

Paul Nicodemus of Times of India gave 3 out of 5 stars, commending Nani’s intensity and the film’s visuals but noting a lack of narrative coherence.[31] Raisa Nasreen of Times Now rated it 3 out of 5, calling it a "gritty thriller" anchored by Nani but with a predictable plot.[32] Asmita Pant of CNBCTV18 lauded Nani’s performance but founded the emotional beats lacking.[33] Amit Bhatia of ABP Live rated it 2.5 out of 5, describing it as a "blood-soaked thriller" but criticizing its weak storyline.[34]

Neeshita Nyayapati of Hindustan Times gave 2.5 out of 5 stars, stating that Nani "steals the show" in a gory film that needed better execution.[35] Swaroop Kodur of Hollywood Reporter India praised Nani’s intensity but criticized the lack of nuance.[36] Sangeetha Devi Dundoo of The Hindu stated that Nani lifts a "visually slick but uneven thriller."[37]

Box office

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In India, HIT: The Third Case was released alongside Retro, Tourist Family and Raid 2 collected ₹43 crore (US$5.1 million) worldwide on its opening day.[38] In six days, it has collected a worldwide gross of ₹88 crore, including ₹65 crore domestically.[39]

Notes

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  1. ^ HIT is the abbreviation of Homicide Intervention Team.
  2. ^ Shown in the climax of HIT: The Second Case

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "HIT 3: Nani's film gets an 'A' certificate from the censors, locks in a lengthy runtime". ottplay.com. Archived from the original on 25 April 2025. Retrieved 25 April 2025.
  2. ^ "HIT: The Third Case OTT Release: Where to watch Nani and Srinidhi Shetty's Telugu action film after theatres". India Times. 6 April 2025. Archived from the original on 9 April 2025. Retrieved 2 May 2025.
  3. ^ "HIT: The Third Case box office collections day 13: Nani's thriller mints Rs 73.61 crores". The Times of India . 14 May 2025.
  4. ^ "HIT 3 trailer out: Nani's Arjun Sarkaar returns in a gritty action thriller". Business Standard. Retrieved 14 April 2025. Nani, a Telugu actor, will make a comeback in the much awaited movie HIT: The Third Caion-thriller, which was directed by Sailesh Kolanu, will release in theaters on May 1
  5. ^ "Nani starrer 'HIT: The Third Case' gets 'A' Certificate; runtime details inside". Times of India. 25 April 2025. Retrieved 25 April 2025. Nani's much-awaited action thriller 'HIT: The Third Case' is all set for a grand theatrical release on May 1, 2025.
  6. ^ "'HIT 3' X reviews out: Netizens call Nani's comeback 'gory but watchable'". Economic Times.
  7. ^ "HIT 3: Natural star Nani to play lead in the third installment, confirms director Sailesh Kolanu". The Times of India. 7 December 2022. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 8 December 2022. Retrieved 24 February 2025.
  8. ^ "Nani's HIT 3 will create 'next level rampage', promises director Sailesh Kolanu". India Today. 6 December 2022. Archived from the original on 29 January 2023. Retrieved 24 February 2025.
  9. ^ "Nani 32: Actor announces next project after Saripodhaa Savinaavaram, to be directed by Sujeeth; check details". Hindustan Times. 25 February 2024. Archived from the original on 20 September 2024. Retrieved 24 February 2025.
  10. ^ "Official: Nani signs up for his next film with director Sujeeth; 'Nani 32' announcement out!". The Times of India. 25 February 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 14 April 2024. Retrieved 24 February 2025.
  11. ^ "'Nani 32' titled as 'Hit: The Third Case'; Makers launch teaser". The Times of India. 5 September 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 5 September 2024. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
  12. ^ "'HIT: The 3rd Case': Nani looks stylish and fierce as Arjun Sarkaar". The Hindu. 5 September 2024. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 22 September 2024. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
  13. ^ "Nani begins shooting for 'Hit: The Third Case' in Hyderabad". The Times of India. 13 September 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 19 September 2024. Retrieved 24 February 2025.
  14. ^ Features, C. E. (14 September 2024). "Nani begins shooting for Hit: The 3rd Case". Cinema Express. Archived from the original on 15 September 2024. Retrieved 24 February 2025.
  15. ^ "KGF Actress Srinidhi Shetty Cast Opposite Nani In HIT 3; Joins Shoot In Vizag". Times Now. 3 October 2024. Archived from the original on 4 November 2024. Retrieved 24 February 2025.
  16. ^ Rachavelpula, Kausalya (2 October 2024). "Srinidhi Shetty Joins Nani for HIT: The 3rd Case, Shoot Underway in Vizag". www.thehansindia.com. Archived from the original on 4 October 2024. Retrieved 24 February 2025.
  17. ^ Sistu, Suhas (18 December 2024). "Nani resumes shoot for 'HIT: The 3rd Case' in Kashmir". www.thehansindia.com. Archived from the original on 2 January 2025. Retrieved 24 February 2025.
  18. ^ "Natural Star Nani grabs attention through his salt and pepper look for 'HIT 3'". The Times of India. 16 December 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 8 March 2025. Retrieved 24 February 2025.
  19. ^ "Actor Nani to wrap filming HIT 3 by March: Reports". India Today. 2 February 2025. Retrieved 24 February 2025.
  20. ^ "Nani's 'HIT 3' nears completion: filming to wrap by March 2025". The Times of India. 3 February 2025. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 23 February 2025. Retrieved 24 February 2025.
  21. ^ Harsh, B. H. (22 February 2025). "Saregama bags audio rights for Nani's Hit 3". Cinema Express. Retrieved 24 February 2025.
  22. ^ "Nani's 'HIT 3' begins promotion with a duet song". Telugu Cinema. 20 March 2025.
  23. ^ "Abki Baar Arjun Sarkaar From Nani's HIT 3 Is Out Now". Filmfare. 10 April 2025. Archived from the original on 11 April 2025. Retrieved 11 April 2025.
  24. ^ Sistu, Suhas (5 September 2024). "Nani's intense avatar revealed in 'HIT: The 3rd Case'teaser, set for May 2025 release". www.thehansindia.com. Archived from the original on 5 September 2024. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
  25. ^ "Nani starrer 'HIT: The Third Case' gets 'A' Certificate; runtime details inside". Times of India. 25 April 2025. Archived from the original on 25 April 2025. Retrieved 25 April 2025.
  26. ^ "Certificate Detail". Central Board of Film Certification.
  27. ^ "'OG', 'Hit: The Third Case', 'Mass Jathara' to be part of Netflix's 2025 Telugu OTT release slate. Check the full movie list". The Economic Times. 14 January 2025. ISSN 0013-0389. Archived from the original on 14 January 2025. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
  28. ^ "HIT 3 Review: Nani's boldest avatar delivers a pulsating action thriller". www.ottplay.com. Archived from the original on 5 May 2025. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
  29. ^ "HIT 3 review: Nani's film has its moments, but it's more a miss than a hit". India Today. 1 May 2025. Archived from the original on 1 May 2025. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
  30. ^ Prakash, B. V. S. (1 May 2025). "Hit 3 Review: Nani Goes Full-Throttle in This Mindless Action Frenzy". www.deccanchronicle.com. Archived from the original on 1 May 2025. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
  31. ^ Nicodemus, Paul. "HIT: The 3rd Case Movie Review". Times of India. Archived from the original on 2 May 2025. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
  32. ^ Nasreen, Raisa. "HIT: The Third Case Movie Review: A Gritty Thriller Anchored by Nani's Intensity". Times Now. Archived from the original on 1 May 2025. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
  33. ^ Pant, Asmita. "HIT: The Third Case Review: Nani Shines in Action-Packed Spectacle". CNBCTV18. Archived from the original on 1 May 2025. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
  34. ^ Bhatia, Amit. "HIT: The Third Case Review: Nani Delivers A Blood-Soaked Thriller With Conviction And Chaos". ABP Live. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
  35. ^ Nyayapati, Neeshita. "HIT The Third Case movie review: Blood-soaked Nani steals the show in this gory fest that could've been better". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 1 May 2025. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
  36. ^ Kodur, Swaroop. "HIT: The Third Case Movie Review: Nani Goes for the Jugular in Blunt Action Thriller". Hollywood Reporter India. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
  37. ^ Dundoo, Sangeetha Devi. "HIT 3 Telugu movie review: Nani lifts a visually slick but uneven thriller". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 1 May 2025. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
  38. ^ "HIT Day 1 Box Office Prediction: Nani's cop saga eyes top spot with potential for strongest opening yet". PINKVILLA. 1 May 2025. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
  39. ^ Dixit, Mohit (7 May 2025). "HIT 3 vs Retro Box Office Comparison First 6 Days: Nani's A-rated crime thriller performs better than Suriya starrer". Pinkvilla. Archived from the original on 8 May 2025. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
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