HIT The 3rd Case

HIT: The Third Case, A Brutal Turn for the HIT Franchise

HIT: The Third Case, released on May 1, 2025, is the third film in the HIT film series, directed by Shailesh Kolanu. It stars Nani as SP Arjun Sarkar and Srinidhi Shetty in her Telugu debut. The story continues from the post-credits thread in HIT: The Second Case. Backed by Wall Poster Cinema and Unimus Productions, this entry moves away from the mystery-first feel of the franchise and relies heavily on graphic action. Reviews were mixed, though it became the fifth highest-grossing Telugu film of 2025.

Plot Summary

Arjun Sarkar is a tough cop with deep psychological scars. He is posted to the Homicide Intervention Team (HIT) in Visakhapatnam. His new case involves a series of brutal murders linked to a shadowy group operating through the dark web. As Arjun gets closer, the job becomes personal and the violence escalates. The film focuses on justice, right and wrong, and how thin the line can be between a cop and a vigilante. The ending is very exciting, setting the stage for HIT: The Fourth Case with the help of surprise cameos.

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Performances

Nani stands out as Arjun Sarkar. He cuts back on his usual warmth and plays the role with anger and weight. The character feels broken but driven and Nani makes that balance believable. Many audiences and critics point to him as the main reason why the film works. The role also gives him the strength to step into action after films like Dussehra and Padada Shanivaram.

Srinidhi Shetty brings a steady presence and shares solid chemistry with Nani. Her character also has more to do than the female characters in the previous entries. Rao Ramesh adds support and cameos by Adivi Sesh and Karthi build up the hype. The final cameo, especially, keeps the discussion going around the big hit-verse.

Direction and Technical Aspects

Shailesh Kolanu steers the series into a more action-heavy lane. The first half still holds the investigation angle, with a tension that feels close to the previous films. The second half turns into long fights and chase beats.

Sanu John Varughese’s cinematography, using locations like Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam and Jammu & Kashmir, gives the film a tough, rugged look. Mickey J. Meyer’s music supports the big moments and tracks like “Abki Baar Arjun Sarkar” are sure to impress fans. Karthika Srinivas’ editing keeps the 157-minute runtime moving, but some scenes in the climax feel underwhelming.

Strengths: Action and intensity

The strongest part of HIT: The Third Case is its raw action. The violence is graphic and often enhanced with CGI, which helped the film earn an ‘A’ certificate. It fits the dark mood of the film, but it won’t appeal to everyone. Audiences who enjoy movies like Kill or Monkey Man might like the close combat, quick takedowns, and heavy final act. Nani’s turn as an almost one-man force makes this the most mass-friendly entry in the series so far.

Weaknesses: Moving away from the series core

The biggest complaint is the shift in focus. HIT: The First Case built its name on tension, psychology, and twists. Here, that aspect takes a back seat to shock and gore. Some viewers also felt that the film came too close to celebrating police brutality. The story will sound familiar to anyone who has seen recent gore-driven action films, and despite the setup, the villain doesn’t go completely down. The level of brutality also divided audiences, especially those who wanted a tight mystery.

Conclusion

HIT: The Third Case is bigger and darker than the previous films. It works best as a Nani-led action showcase with strong energy and a hard R-rated edge. It may not offer the same mystery pull as the first two cases, but it pushes the HIT film series towards a broader, pan-Indian universe, and there’s room to grow. Gritty action fans are likely to have a good time in the theaters, but long-time fans may miss the original mystery-heavy style of the series.

Overall iBomma Rating: 7/10, A strong action-focused phase that came under the leadership of Nani, but it somewhat diminishes the franchise’s previous appeal.