HIT: The 3rd Case Movie Review

Introduction:
HIT 3, directed by Sailesh Kolanu, is the latest installment in the HIT crime thriller franchise. This time, Nani plays the lead role of Arjun Sarkar, stepping into a new mass-oriented avatar. Promoted as a full-fledged crime thriller, HIT 3 attempts to blend action, psychological intensity, and mystery. But does it truly captivate the audience, and does Nani succeed in this new shade? Let’s find out.

Plot Summary:
Arjun Sarkar (Nani), a senior police officer, is transferred from Kashmir to Vizag. Shockingly, he begins committing brutal murders himself—filming them and then investigating the very crimes he’s responsible for. As the plot unfolds, a haunting murder case from his time as SP in Jammu & Kashmir resurfaces, revealing connections to 13 more killings across the country. As Arjun delves deeper, he uncovers unsettling truths. With support from Mridula (Srinidhi Shetty), he continues these murders in an attempt to solve the mystery. Why does Arjun resort to killing? What’s the secret behind these murders? These questions form the crux of the second half.

Analysis:
Following the success of the first two HIT films, Sailesh Kolanu crafts HIT 3 with an aim to project Nani in a fierce, mass hero light. Unfortunately, this shift in tone comes with a steep cost—excessive violence overshadows both the narrative and emotional elements.
While trying to elevate Nani’s heroism, the director creates a dark and disturbing world, sidelining storytelling in the process. The film introduces scenes so graphically violent and emotionally vacant that they feel more shocking than compelling. Some sequences even appear to indirectly promote harmful methods or give dangerous ideas, which can be unsettling for sensitive viewers.

The first half progresses very slowly and lacks a gripping narrative. The second half spirals into relentless bloodshed, driven by a twisted game that echoes Hollywood thrillers. However, without meaningful twists or solid emotional grounding, the film becomes tedious. Instead of enhancing the experience, the high doses of violence feel excessive and alienate a wider audience.

Songs and romantic scenes between the hero and heroine further slow down the film. With no strong emotions or logic to back up the hero-centric scenes, HIT 3 ends up as a misguided experiment in style over substance. A particular scene where the villain calls Nani “classy,” and Nani responds saying, “Everyone believed that till now... now I’ll show you my ‘mass’ side,” clearly reflects Nani’s personal excitement to break out of his usual image. However, this transition doesn’t fully land.
Performances:
Nani delivers a commendable performance as Arjun Sarkar, portraying intensity and transformation convincingly. However, this role and genre feel misaligned with his natural screen image, making it difficult for audiences to fully accept him in such a violent and dark setting. Srinidhi  Shetty’s role is passable, though not impactful.

Technical Aspects:
Cinematography by Manikandan (aka Fandudutt) stands out in several scenes, effectively capturing the gritty tone of the movie. M.M. Keeravani’s background score is decent but not memorable. The real shortfall lies in the writing and direction. A tighter script with reduced violence and stronger emotional beats could have worked much better, especially for Nani's core fan base.

Final Verdict:
Nani’s attempt to break away from his soft-image roles with HIT 3 doesn’t fully pay off. The film, with its excessive gore, lack of emotion, and weak storytelling, struggles to connect with audiences—particularly families and sensitive viewers. With disturbing scenes and a grim tone, HIT 3 veers away from the gripping thrillers its predecessors were and ends up as a misfire in the franchise. For fans expecting the emotional depth and cleverness of previous HIT films, this one may come as a disappointment.