HIT: The Third Case, released on May 1, 2025, and it marks a big step forward for the franchise. Directed by Sailesh and produced by Prashanti and Nani under Wall Poster, the film stars Nani in a totally new and intense avatar as SP Arjun. Also joining the cast is Srinidhi, famous for her role in KGF, bringing strong emotional depth.
| Movie Title: | HIT: The Third Case |
| Primary Actor: | Nani |
| Featured Cast: | Nani, Komalee Prasad, Srinidhi Shetty |
| Genres Included: | Action, Thriller, Crime |
| Directed By: | Sailesh Kolanu |
| Duration: | 2h 37m |
| Production House: | Wall Poster Cinema, Unanimous Productions |
| Launch Date: | 30 Apr 2025 |
| Score: | 7/10 |
| Critic’s Rating: | 7/10 |
With a duration of 157m and a budget of ₹60 crore, HIT: The Third Case is a Telugu action thriller that goes even darker and deeper than the earlier movies. The cinematography by Sanu Varghese beautifully captures the rough beauty of places like Kashmir and Visakhapatnam.
Cast Name
| Actor | Character |
|---|---|
| Brahmaji | R. Shinde |
| Srinidhi Shetty | Mrudula |
| Nani | Arjun Sarkaar |
| Surya Srinivas | Ravi |
| Maganti Srinath | Abhilash |
| Adil Pala | Zubair Ahmed Khan |
| Komalee Prasad | Varsha |
| Rao Ramesh | Nageswara Rao |
Plot Overview
The story is set in the chilling backdrop of Kashmir, where SP Arjun Sarkaar leads the investigation into a string of brutal murders that seem to threaten national security. As Sarkaar digs deeper, the case becomes personal, forcing him to face his own dark past. The return of SP Krishna Dev and Vikram Rudraraju from previous HIT movies adds more drama and emotional layers, leading up to an explosive confrontation about justice, duty, and betrayal.
Cast Performances
Nani delivers a career-best performance as Arjun Sarkaar, showing a dark, gritty, and morally grey side we haven’t seen before. His transformation has been praised by critics and fans alike.
Srinidhi Shetty does a great job as Mrudula, giving the story emotional weight. Adivi Sesh and Vishwak Sen smoothly slip back into their familiar roles, adding strength and continuity to the HIT universe. The chemistry among all characters creates a powerful and gripping experience.
Direction and Technical Aspects
Director Sailesh Kolanu truly levels up the HIT series by giving us deep character stories combined with high-intensity action scenes. His direction strikes a perfect balance between realism and style.
The tight editing by Karthika Srinivas keeps the pace fast without confusing the audience. The production design by Sri Nagendra Tangala makes the movie’s settings feel authentic, whether it’s the cold mountains of Kashmir or the crowded streets of Vizag. Mickey J. Meyer’s background music stands out beautifully, building tension and emotion at just the right moments. The cinematography gives a grand and gritty look to the whole film.
Critical Reception
HIT: The Third Case received mostly positive reviews from both critics and audiences.
Filmibeat rated it 3 out of 5, appreciating its gripping story and strong performances. The Times of India praised Nani’s transformation and the bold, wide scope of the film. India Today loved the way characters from the earlier movies were brought together, giving the HIT universe a bigger and richer feel.
Audiences, especially fans of the HIT franchise, have really connected with the film’s darker tone and complex characters.
Many viewers loved seeing Nani in such a raw, intense role, saying it’s one of his best. The thrilling action scenes and the smartly written twists kept moviegoers hooked till the very end. The movie has strengthened HIT’s place as one of India’s most gripping action-thriller series.
Conclusion
HIT: The Third Case does an amazing job of expanding the HIT universe. It gives audiences a gripping, emotionally rich thriller filled with outstanding performances, especially by Nani.
The movie’s themes of moral conflict and justice make it more than just an action movie — it’s a deep and engaging story. With its excellent direction, acting, and technical brilliance, HIT: The Third Case is a must-watch for anyone who loves thrillers.