Movie: HIT 3 Rating: 2.5/5 Banner: Wall Poster Cinema & Unanimous Productions Cast: Nani, Srinidhi Shetty, Rao Ramesh, Karthi (Cameo), Komalee Prasad, Adivi Sesh (Cameo), Ravindra Vijay,  others Music: Mickey J Meyer DOP: Sanu John Varghese Editor: Karthika Srinivas R Production Designer: Sri Nagendra Tangala Producer: Prashanti Tipirneni Written and Directed by: Sailesh Kolanu Release Date: May 01, 2025

The HIT franchise began in 2020 with Vishwak Sen playing the lead role as a cop, followed by a sequel starring Adivi Sesh. For the third installment, the baton has been passed to Nani, with director Sailesh Kolanu continuing to helm the franchise.

Now the question is: has Nani taken the HIT franchise to the next level? Let’s find out.

Story: Arjun Sarkaar (Nani), an aggressive cop, is arrested by the Vizag police and placed in jail. While in custody, he shares his story with a fellow inmate, revealing the events that led to his imprisonment.

While serving as the Superintendent of Police in Jammu and Kashmir, Arjun leads a high-stakes mission against terrorists, resulting in the arrest of two key suspects.

During the investigation, Arjun uncovers 13 identical murders committed across the country, all linked to a mysterious website called CTK.

What is CTK? Who is behind these calculated killings? And can Arjun expose the shadowy network orchestrating them and unmask the real culprits?

Artistes’ Performances: Nani, once celebrated for his subtle and naturalistic performances, appears to be shifting gears in an effort to emulate “mass” heroes and broaden his stardom. His recent choices seem focused on delivering whistle-worthy dialogues and high-octane mass moments. In this film, he surprisingly uses cuss words liberally and leans heavily into graphic violence — marking a significant departure from his earlier style. While his performance remains solid as ever, the film is overwhelmingly action-driven and soaked in gore.

Srinidhi Shetty is passable. Despite participating in an action sequence, her role is quite limited.

Rao Ramesh is adequate in his part, while Komalee Prasad delivers a neat performance as a police officer. Samuthirakani plays Nani’s father but appears only briefly, in two or three scenes.

Adivi Sesh makes a brief cameo. The actor playing the villain fits the standard mold of an antagonist. Karthi’s cameo teases the arrival of HIT 4.

Technical Excellence: Sanu John Varghese’s cinematography is highlight. He effectively sets the mood for this violent film. The production design is equally impressive, complemented by strong production values.

However, the editing lacks sharpness, especially during crucial sequences. It is a lengthy film and the second half drags on.

The songs by Mickey J Meyer add little value, but the background score is apt. The action stunts are copied from Korean movies.

Highlights: Nani’s show First half to some extent

Drawback: Uneven pacing Excessive violence and bloodshed Dull songs Over build up and cinematic liberties

Analysis HIT 3, the third installment in the HIT franchise, promised to be grander in scale and more violent than its predecessors — and that much it delivers. However, beyond the bloodshed and brutality, the film marks a complete departure from the focused investigative thrillers that came before it.

While the first two films — starring Vishwak Sen and Adivi Sesh — were grounded, character-driven mysteries, this Nani-led chapter leans heavily into generic action-drama territory with a larger-than-life presentation.

Unlike its predecessors, HIT 3 lacks the precision and suspense expected of a gripping investigative thriller.

Instead, it plays out like a cross between a Squid Game-style survival drama and a typical mass-action film, complete with slow-motion hero shots and relentless fight sequences.

There's a noticeable influence from Animal, starring Ranbir Kapoor and directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga. By the climax, HIT 3 is drenched in gore — quite literally, with Nani soaked in blood in the final scenes.

It’s evident that the film is tailored to project Nani in a larger-than-life avatar, showcasing high-voltage action sequences. The story begins intriguingly in a jail setting, gradually unraveling his past and his role in Jammu and Kashmir. However, the narrative only finds its rhythm after the first 30 minutes. Early portions focus on Arjun Sarkaar’s aggressive behavior, liberal use of expletives, and his strained relationship with his father.

The introduction of Srinidhi Shetty’s character injects some interest, and the story gains momentum as it moves between locations — Bihar, Jaipur, and eventually the dense forests of Arunachal Pradesh.

From this point, the film begins to resemble a blend of Hollywood action thrillers and Korean dramas, especially in the second half. Unfortunately, for audiences accustomed to international content, the narrative lacks novelty. For mainstream viewers, it may pass as average entertainment. The second half is overloaded with violence and action; logic takes a backseat, and the extended runtime becomes burdensome.

The main antagonist, who leads the Squid Game-like group, is portrayed in a clichéd and almost cartoonish manner. Although the twist involving the heroine’s character is initially intriguing, her role quickly fades into the background. Adivi Sesh’s cameo adds little to the plot. The motivation behind CTK is revealed toward the end, but the explanation feels recycled—reminiscent of director Sailesh Kolanu’s earlier film Saindhav.

In the end, HIT 3 feels more like an over-the-top action film than a sharp investigative thriller. It works in moments but ultimately exhausts the viewer with excessive gore and a stretched-out plot. While Nani delivers a solid performance, the film will likely appeal only to fans of stylized, mindless action. Sadly, it’s more miss than HIT.

Bottom Line: Not A Hard HIT

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