By INVC Entertainment Desk
[Published on April 14, 2025]
The gloves are off, and so is Nani’s image as Telugu cinema’s beloved “Natural Star.” In the explosive trailer of HIT: The Third Case, Nani steps into his darkest role yet—as Arjun Sarkar, a ruthless police officer who believes criminals deserve either a 10-foot cell or a 6-foot grave.
Directed by Sailesh Kolanu, this third installment in the HIT (Homicide Intervention Team) franchise takes the narrative into dangerously gritty territory. From sawed-off heads to psychological warfare, the trailer pulls no punches.
🧨 What the HIT 3 Trailer Reveals
Clocking in at just over three minutes, the trailer opens with Arjun’s intense monologue that sets the stage: “There are two places for criminals. One is prison. The other is a grave.”
We’re then plunged into a high-stakes operation: a baby has been kidnapped, and Arjun is tasked with tracking down the perpetrators. What follows is a relentless pursuit drenched in action, emotional turbulence, and moral ambiguity.
The visuals are stylized, the background score pulsating, and the mood — uncompromising.
🎭 A Role Reinvention for Nani
Known for his charming, boy-next-door roles in Jersey and Shyam Singha Roy, Nani completely reinvents himself here. He’s angry, brutal, and emotionally fractured — a far cry from his previous avatars.
This performance could mark a turning point in Nani’s career evolution from Natural Star to action hero.
💥 Srinidhi Shetty Joins the Action
KGF fame Srinidhi Shetty makes her presence felt as a powerful emotional anchor in the trailer, and her chemistry with Nani adds both intensity and heart to the plot.
Her transition from pan-India success to the dark thriller space is part of a growing trend explored in our feature: Srinidhi Shetty’s transition from KGF to HIT 3.
🎬 HIT Franchise Grows Stronger
With HIT 3, director Sailesh Kolanu continues to build his dark, interconnected crime universe — reminiscent of what Rohit Shetty has done with cop sagas in Bollywood, but far more brooding and cerebral.
Explore the full journey in our feature: The impact of HIT franchise on regional thriller genres
🎞️ Production and Release Details
Backed by Prashanti Tipirneni under Wall Poster Cinema and Nani’s Unanimous Productions, HIT 3 is slated for worldwide release on May 1, 2025. Cinematographer S. Manikandan and composer John Stewart Eduri add further cinematic polish to this action-loaded spectacle.
📈 A Game-Changer for Telugu Cinema?
With its cinematic realism, psychological depth, and high-octane action, HIT: The Third Case is poised to become a milestone in contemporary Telugu cinema.
For more on this shift in genre dynamics, read: Exploring the rise of gritty cop dramas in Telugu cinema
🎥 Final Take
HIT 3 looks like more than just a cop story — it’s a psychological action-thriller with a soul. With Nani stepping way out of his comfort zone and Sailesh Kolanu in full control of his universe, this one’s a must-watch.
Whether you’re in it for the action, the drama, or to witness Nani’s career-defining performance — come May 1st, HIT 3 promises to leave a mark.
