HIT3 Movie Review: Nani’s ‘Sarkaar’ Shines in a Gritty Thriller, Despite Flaws
Following the massive success of Dasara, Hi Nanna, and the upcoming Saripodhaa Sanivaaram, Nani returns in a dynamic avatar for HIT: The Third Case, the latest installment in Sailesh Kolanu’s crime-thriller franchise. With heightened expectations fueled by sharp promos and franchise goodwill, does this chapter live up to the hype? Here’s a deep dive into what works — and what doesn’t.
🧩 Plot Summary
Set against the picturesque backdrop of Jammu & Kashmir, the film introduces Arjun Sarkaar (Nani), a fierce and instinct-driven cop from the elite Homicide Intervention Team. When a chilling murder shocks the region, Arjun is tasked with uncovering the killer. But as the investigation unfolds, he stumbles upon a national web of similar murders, each more brutal than the last. As the bodies pile up, Arjun’s race against time becomes personal and unrelenting. What follows is a mix of blood, betrayal, and mind games.
🎭 Performances
Nani steals the show with his intense portrayal of Arjun Sarkaar — a character designed to project controlled chaos. His transition into a raw, aggressive, and emotionally complex role is compelling, and he delivers with precision, charisma, and effortless swagger.
Srinidhi Shetty plays Mrudula with grace, though her character is underutilized. The romantic arc — though tender — occasionally interrupts the momentum of the crime narrative. Prateik Babbar as the antagonist doesn’t get the screen presence or depth to become a formidable threat, which undercuts the climax slightly.
Supporting actors like Rao Ramesh and Samuthirakani add credibility, with Samuthirakani offering needed levity. Two unannounced celebrity cameos offer major surprise value, lighting up the second half.
🎬 Direction & Technical Brilliance
Director Sailesh Kolanu tries to balance character elevation with crime storytelling. While the writing dips in originality, especially in the latter half, his grip on atmosphere and tone remains strong. The emotional undercurrent sometimes gets buried beneath the hero-centric presentation, but his world-building remains immersive.
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Cinematography (Sanu Varghese): Outstanding. Kashmir looks cinematic, tense, and beautifully framed.
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Music & BGM (Mickey J. Meyer): Patchy first half, but the background score lifts several key moments in the second half.
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Editing (Karthika Srinivas): A tighter cut, especially trimming the romance track, could’ve enhanced narrative pace.
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Production Quality: Rich and sleek. HIT 3 looks world-class, thanks to high production values by Wall Poster Cinema.
✅ Highlights
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Nani’s high-octane performance
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Climax action sequences
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Two exciting star cameos
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Kashmir visuals
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Pre-interval Jaipur sequence
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BGM in key action scenes
❌ Drawbacks
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Underwhelming villain arc
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Lag in first-half pacing
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Overlong romantic subplot
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Excessive profanity and graphic violence
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Lack of freshness in the third act
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Visual similarities to Squid Game undermine originality
🧠 Analysis
Unlike the razor-sharp HIT 1, this third installment leans into the hero’s elevation more than investigative finesse. While it makes for a gripping action-drama, it does sacrifice some of the franchise’s signature intelligence and tension. Yet, the scale, ambition, and Nani’s transformation into ‘Sarkaar’ keep the film afloat — and frequently engaging.
Director Sailesh seems keen to build a cinematic universe, but in doing so, overextends some arcs while failing to land others. The film’s greatest strength is its lead — and its biggest weakness, the lack of a compelling villain.
🏁 Verdict
HIT: The Third Case is a high-stakes, stylish thriller that gives Nani one of his most intense roles to date. Though it stumbles with pacing and predictability, it rewards fans with mass appeal, standout action, and emotionally charged moments.
