HIT: The 3rd Case

Before I delve into the issues I have, I would like to express my admiration for certain aspects of the film, first & foremost, Nani's performance, and the script's able handling of intense scenes, be it the investigative segments or the climactic confrontation in the final half of the story.

Now coming to the problems, I found that the whole plot lacked emotional resonance; it couldn't effectively harness emotions in a meaningful way.

Now as for someone who enjoys relentless gore and bloodshed, I found the kills and the overall bloodbath in the final hour to be engaging. However, I was left with a sense of dissatisfaction, mainly because these moments of violence did not feel 'earned' or 'justified.' They appeared to be mere byproducts of style and encashing the present day trend rather than yielding substance with some meaning.

Whilst, Nani's performance left a significant impression on me, his character could have benefited from deeper material.

If the filmmakers had taken the time to elaborate on his troubled past, it would have enriched his character and provided a more compelling understanding of his eccentric personality.

Nani never disappoints! Wall Poster Cinema and Unanimous Productions have delivered great production values. Mickey J. Meyer's background score is peak-level excellence. Sanu John Varghese's cinematography is outstanding. The action and stunts are mind-blowing!

Writer and director Sailesh Kolanu has made a strong comeback with Hit 3. Nani, Srindhi, and the rest of the cast deliver impressive performances. The first half is engaging, with a gripping investigation and Nani's witty dialogue. The second half is packed with intense action sequences that keep you on the edge of your seat.

Every character is utilized effectively, and the climax is full of surprises. While the movie does contain violence, it's justified by the story. Overall, Hit 3 is a thrilling ride that lives up to expectations.

Nani serves as the heart of the film - this time he confronts a ruthless syndicate called CTK which believes in killing people brutally and selling their organs - this group has a registered website and the killings are executed following due procedures - will he be able to apprehend them and stop the massacre - will he be able to mend ties with his dad - action is over the top - running time needs to be reduced by 15 minutes - audiences should brace themselves for the fourth installment.

#HITTheThirdCase rating 3/5, director Sailesh Kolanu, heroine Srinidhi Shetty, released in cinemas on 1 May 2025.

As expected, the movie is more of a brutal action thriller with survival element, than a procedural investigative thriller, so yeah, that's bit disappointing I had so many apprehensions about Nani's portrayal in this movie, but surprisingly, he's the major asset of the film, he get the attitude and pitch of the character right, though lacks the physique to make those action scenes look believable, nothing much to speak about rest of the cast First half is good, keeps you hooked throughout, despite the lack of high. But the second half is a bummer, becoming a survival drama with heavy dose of violence, and one too many cameos Technically, movie lacks technical finesse, cinematography by Sanu Varghese is so shaky in those action scenes, which already look so routine and nothing outstanding, second half needed some editing by Karthika Srinivas, music and BGM by Mickey are generic and Dull.

Coming to Sailesh Kolanu, his major strengths are attention to details in those investigations, sadly he deviated from them since Saindhav and HIT 3 suffers the same fate

BOTTOMLINE: WATCH FOR NANI WITH EXPECTATIONS IN CHECK.

The HIT franchise, which began with a promising start, has unfortunately seen a steady decline in narrative quality and originality with each installment.

HIT-1, while not without flaws, stood out for introducing the investigation thriller genre to mainstream Telugu cinema. The storytelling had noticeable shortcomings-particularly in pacing and a rather underwhelming, even silly, climax. However, it managed to keep audiences reasonably engaged with its freshness and novelty, which contributed to its success.

HIT-2, though attempting to build upon its predecessor, ended up being a weaker effort overall. Despite a few intriguing elements, the film suffered from a lack of narrative depth and an even less impactful climax. The genre conventions felt overly familiar, and the execution lacked the tension and originality expected from a thriller, making it feel like a retread of what we've seen before-only with less conviction.

HIT-3, regrettably, falls further down the slope. It leans heavily on violence and genre clichés, offering very little in terms of fresh content or emotional engagement. The film feels like a generic action thriller with a glossy exterior-thanks largely to improved production values and a notable star cast-but devoid of substance.

The first half trudges through a formulaic investigation arc that adds no innovation to the narrative. The second half abruptly shifts into a survival-action mode, seemingly inspired by the John Wick franchise, but lacks its finesse or justification. The action is over-the-top, the violence excessive, and the plot twists are painfully predictable. As a result, the film loses credibility and emotional connection with the audience.

Overall, HIT-3 feels overly cinematic and detached from reality, sacrificing depth for style. It's unfortunate that a franchise that began with potential has now become an exercise in style over substance.