HIT 3 Review: Nani Shines in a Gritty, Gripping Yet Flawed Thriller
Sarkar Rating: 3/5 Release Date :May 01, 2025
Cast
Nani, Srinidhi Shetty, Prateik Babbar, Surya Srinivas, Rao Ramesh, Samuthirakani, Adil Pala, Maganti Srinath and others
Crew
Director – Sailesh Kolanu
Producer – Prashanti Tipirneni & Nani
Banner – Wall Poster Cinema & Unanimous Productions
Music – Mickey J. Meyer
After scoring a hat-trick with Dasara, Hi Nanna, and Saripodhaa Sanivaaram, Nani collaborates with director Sailesh Kolanu for the third installment in the HIT (Homicide Intervention Team) franchise. With the promos building solid anticipation, the film has finally hit theatres. The big questions: Does Nani continue his winning streak? Can Sailesh Kolanu recover from the disappointment of Saindhav? And does the HIT franchise maintain its box office momentum with HIT 3? Let’s find out.
Story Overview
In line with its predecessors, HIT 3 revolves around a complex crime investigation. Nani plays Arjun Sarkaar, a volatile and unyielding cop in the Homicide Intervention Team operating in Jammu & Kashmir. Arjun and his team begin probing a gruesome murder, only to uncover a pattern of similarly brutal killings across the country. Who is behind these murders? What drives the perpetrators? How do Arjun and his team crack the case? These questions form the backbone of the story.
Performances
Nani delivers a stellar performance as Arjun Sarkaar. Portraying a cop battling anger issues, he seamlessly balances intensity with comic timing, making the character both menacing and likable. His screen presence and energy carry much of the film, offering a treat for fans who enjoy seeing him in massy, rugged roles.
Srinidhi Shetty, as Mrudula, is competent but her romantic track with Nani acts as a drag on the film’s pace. While there’s a twist tied to her character, it doesn’t fully compensate for the slowdown. Prateik Babbar, cast as the antagonist, does an average job. His performance lacks the necessary menace—more due to underwritten characterization than his acting skills.
Supporting roles by Rao Ramesh and Samuthirakani are serviceable. Rao Ramesh has limited screen time but leaves an impression, while Samuthirakani, playing Arjun’s father, brings some much-needed levity.
The film also features two surprise cameos, which elicit rousing cheers from the audience and add energy to key moments.
Technical Aspects
Mickey J. Meyer’s background score is a mixed bag—weak and underwhelming in the first half, but far more impactful during the climactic action sequences. Editing by Karthika Srinivas could have been tighter. Trimming 15 minutes—particularly from the romance arc and prolonged action scenes—would have significantly helped the pacing.
Sanu Varghese’s cinematography deserves praise, especially his work capturing the striking landscapes of Jammu & Kashmir. The second half also benefits from some well-framed, intense sequences. The production values by Wall Poster Cinema and Unanimous Productions are commendable; the investment clearly shows on screen.
What Works
Nani’s powerhouse performance
Two well-timed surprise cameos
Solid background score in the second half
Gripping pre-climax action
Well-crafted Jaipur sequence pre-interval
What Doesn’t Work
Dull romantic track and songs
Weak villain characterization
Inconsistent background score
Sluggish editing
Slow, uneven first half
Final Verdict
Director Sailesh Kolanu, who earned praise for tight storytelling in the first two HIT films, seems to shift gears here. While HIT 3 has a promising premise, this time the focus leans more on showcasing the hero than on cohesive storytelling. The screenplay lacks the urgency and structure that made its predecessors click.
Still, Kolanu deserves credit for crafting Arjun Sarkaar’s intense persona and giving Nani some punchy, whistle-worthy dialogues. Several high-octane moments in the second half, particularly in the pre-climax, work well. The surprise cameos and the dramatic action add crowd appeal.
However, the film also includes disturbing sequences and heavy use of profanity across Telugu, Hindi, and English. While the A-rating covers this, even adult viewers might find some parts overly violent or uncomfortable. Additionally, influences from shows like Squid Game are apparent in certain plot devices, which may feel derivative to some.
Bottom Line
HIT 3 is a decently engaging crime thriller driven largely by Nani’s intense performance. While it falls short of its full potential due to weak writing and pacing issues, fans of the actor and the franchise will find enough to enjoy on the big screen.
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