The much-anticipated third installment of the HIT franchise, aptly titled HIT 3, hit theaters on May 1, 2025, promising a blend of action, crime, and drama as it transitioned to a bolder, more violent narrative. With Nani taking the helm as the aggressive cop Arjun Sarkaar, the film diverges sharply from the grounded, character-driven mystery that defined its predecessors. This new chapter raises eyebrows as it leans heavily into a world of gore and relentless action, leaving fans of the original series to ponder whether the shift has elevated the franchise or merely led it astray.
Director Sailesh Kolanu, the creative mind behind the popular prior installments, seems resolute in redefining the tone of HIT with this latest outing. Arjun’s character arc begins in an unconventional setting—a jail—where he recounts his harrowing journey as the Superintendent of Police in Jammu and Kashmir, embroiled in a deadly cat-and-mouse game against terrorism. The film’s plot revolves around a series of mysterious murders linked to a shadowy website known as CTK, but as the story unfolds, it becomes clear that action and bloodshed take precedence over the meticulous criminology for which the HIT series was originally known.
Nani dives headfirst into this role, shedding some of the subtler nuances of his past performances in favor of a more bombastic approach. Armed with a barrage of whistle-worthy dialogues, he adopts an aggressive facade that some may find appealing, though it signals a departure from the everyday heroism audiences have come to embrace in his earlier films. This pivot aims to harness the appeal of “mass” heroism, a stylistic choice not without its drawbacks, as critics have noted a significant increase in the film’s graphic violence.
The narrative may begin strongly, introducing a layered protagonist whose personal struggles and strained familial relationships hint at depth. However, as the story transitions through various locales—Bihar, Jaipur, and finally, the wilds of Arunachal Pradesh—narrative coherence begins to fray. Reviewers have voiced concern over the uneven pacing, particularly noting that the second half languishes under the oppressive weight of excess action sequences. The film’s runtime, extended and stretched thin, detracts from its initial intrigue, often forcing audiences to endure moments that feel repetitive and disjointed.
Moreover, while technical aspects of the film show promise — Sanu John Varghese’s cinematography effectively encapsulates the darkly atmospheric world HIT 3 seeks to portray—the pacing issues plague the editing, leading to a viewing experience that many may find laborious. Mickey J Meyer’s background score, while competent, does little to elevate the film from its over-the-top aesthetic, and the songs themselves are largely forgettable.
Supporting performances, while competent—particularly from Rao Ramesh and Komalee Prasad — fail to rescue the film from its over-reliance on action set pieces. The villain’s portrayal follows a clichéd archetype that leaves little room for nuance or complexity, making their motivations and actions appear almost cartoonish in execution.
Yet, hidden beneath the layers of high-octane sequences and blood-soaked moments is a narrative that seems to attempt commentary on the public’s appetite for violence in entertainment. By embedding elements reminiscent of popular survival dramas like Squid Game, HIT 3 also unearths questions about viewing habits and the societal fixation on the sensationalism of crime.
Despite the film’s ambitious aspirations, it feels more like an exercise in overindulgence than a continuation of a beloved investigative thriller. Critics argue that while Nani’s portrayal may win him new fans, it does a disservice to those drawn in by the compelling stories of his earlier works.
In the final analysis, HIT 3 serves as a testament to the challenges of evolving a film franchise. While the ambitious shift to larger-than-life antics may cater to action enthusiasts, it risks alienating those who cherished the franchise’s foundational intrigue and narrative precision. As it stands, HIT 3 may resonate with fans of stylized action but leaves many wondering if what was once a meticulous investigative series has devolved into a mirage of mindless violence.
HIT 3 shifts the franchise into a dramatically different direction—whether this will resonate with its audience remains a tentative question.
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