The third part of Telugu cinema’s thriller series HIT, “HIT: The Third Case”, released in theaters on 1 May 2025. Directed by writer and director Sailesh Kolanu, the film is an intense crime thriller that revolves around a mysterious and horrifying murder series. This time, the lead role is played by Nani, who plays SP Arjun Sarkar – a ruthless but dedicated police officer who is appointed by the Homicide Intervention Team (HIT) to nab a dangerous gang of killers.

This film not only keeps the audience engaged on the crime and mystery front, but also has emotional depth and social message. Nani’s performance is very strong, while Srinidhi Shetty impresses in the role of a strong female police officer. The cinematography, editing and background score of HIT 3 make the film even more impressive. This film is perfect for the audience who are looking for thrill, suspense and a strong story. The popularity of the film and its excellent performance at the box office makes it clear that it has become the most talked about installment in the HIT series.

HIT: The Third Case Story

This is the story of SP Arjun Sarkar, a fearless and ruthless police officer. After being rescued by a fellow inmate Samuel Joseph in jail, Arjun narrates his entire story through flashbacks. After the events of “HIT: The Second Case”, he is posted in Visakhapatnam. He kills two criminals and begins investigating the cases on his own, discovering that the victims were involved in child sexual abuse.

The investigation leads Arjun to learn about a dark web cult “CTK (Capture, Torture, Kill)”, which requires recording two murders to join. Arjun himself commits two murders to join CTK and infiltrates the organization. The organization’s next meeting is scheduled to be held in Arunachal Pradesh. Arjun’s girlfriend Mridula, who is an undercover police officer, also becomes a part of the team.

CTK’s headquarters are in an old Burmese palace, where Arjun witnesses the brutal murder of hostages. He secretly gives his team information about the location. Eventually, the team together kills CTK’s leader Alpha and dismantles the organization.

The story ends by revealing that Samuel Joseph, whom Arjun had taken into confidence in jail, was the real mastermind. Arjun had deliberately entered the jail to kill him. In the end, Arjun honours Officer Dhanya Mohan who sacrificed her life to save a little girl. The mid-credit scene gives a glimpse of “HIT: The Fourth Case”.

Movie Review

The audience’s reactions to the film HIT: The Third Case have been mixed. In this film, actor Nani once again impresses the audience with his strong acting. His performance shows maturity and confidence as always, which makes him one of the best actors of Telugu cinema. However, the story of the film does not fully meet the expectations of the audience.

A critic believes that Nani’s acting is brilliant as always, but the script of the film seems overly complicated and forced at times. If the story was made more realistic and emotionally relatable, its impact would have increased manifold. The selection of the villain has been particularly criticized, as he has recently been seen in comic roles, which makes his villainous character not very impressive.

There are some cameo appearances in the film which definitely bring a thrilling experience to the audience and maintain the pace of the film. But if the HIT franchise is to be taken forward, then the makers will have to focus on the soul of the story. Stories that flow naturally and can connect with the audience emotionally. This element was somewhat missing in this film, which was disappointing. However, Nani fans can definitely watch this film for his brilliant performance and can eagerly wait for his future projects.

On the other hand, a viewer’s reaction was completely opposite. According to him, this film is a masterclass in action cinema. The action sequences shown in it are extremely thrilling and artistic. Every fight scene is choreographed meticulously and has depth along with drama. The pace and editing of the film keep the audience engaged from beginning to end.

According to this reviewer, the biggest strength of the film is its action – a cinematic experience that grips the audience to its place. The director has created a special “visual language” that makes every action scene communicable and impactful.

Overall, HIT: The Third Case will be loved by those viewers who love fast-paced, action-packed films. At the same time, viewers who are interested in the depth and soul of the story might find something lacking. Still, Nani’s performance makes this film worth watching.

Conclusion

HIT: The Third Case is a fast-paced action thriller that is anchored by a brilliant performance from Nani. The action, camera work and technical aspects of the film are strong, but there are some flaws in the story that prevent it from becoming an emotionally engaging film. The villain’s impact was weak and the script could have been more realistic. Despite this, the film offers a great cinematic experience, especially for action lovers. If more attention is paid to the story in the upcoming parts, the HIT franchise can reach even greater heights.