Nani starrer “HIT: The Third Case,” directed by Sailesh Kolanu, has posted mixed results at the box office during its four-day opening weekend starting May 1, 2025. The film, which is the third installment in the popular HIT franchise, has garnered a decent response in Telugu-speaking states but struggled to make an impact in other language markets, including Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, and Kannada.
In the USA, however, the film has shown a relatively strong performance, amassing $2 million in ticket sales.
In Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, HIT 3 has performed respectably, collecting an estimated Rs 40 crore gross over the four-day weekend, according to industry sources. The film opened with Rs 22 crore on its first day in Telugu states, followed by a steady hold through the weekend.
Trade analysts note that the film’s engaging action sequences and Nani’s star power have resonated with Telugu audiences, but the collections are slightly below expectations for a franchise with such high anticipation.
Despite Nani promoting the film across India, “HIT 3” has flopped in non-Telugu markets. The Hindi-dubbed version collected a mere Rs 15 lakh on its opening day and failed to gain traction over the weekend, earning a total of approximately 70 lakhs nett in India. Similarly, the Tamil version grossed just Rs 40 lakh, while the Kannada and Malayalam versions were even lower, at Rs 7 lakh and under Rs 10 lakh, respectively, over the four days.
It is clear that Nani has no pan-Indian appeal yet.
In contrast, “HIT 3” has found a receptive audience in the USA, grossing $2 million (approximately ₹16.8 crore) over the four-day weekend. It also performed strongly in other overseas markets like Australia and UK.
Despite the decent Telugu performance and overseas success, “HIT 3” faces challenges in achieving a blockbuster status. The film’s reported budget of Rs 75 crore means it needs sustained collections to break even, particularly in domestic markets. The lackluster response in Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, and Kannada markets limits its pan-India potential, and Monday’s expected drop could further impact its long-term prospects.