HIT 3: Two day-collections cement Nani’s stardom

“HIT: The Third Case,” starring Nani and Srinidhi Shetty, has taken the box office by storm. The amassed a staggering Rs 79 crore gross worldwide in its first two days since its release on May 1, 2025.

Directed by Sailesh Kolanu and produced by Wall Poster Cinema and Unanimous Productions, the film has emerged as Nani’s career-best opener and the fourth-highest opening for a Telugu film in 2025. The film cemented his status as one of the biggest stars, and the number one among the mid-range stars of the Telugu film industry.

Day 1 and Day 2

“HIT 3 grossed Rs 43 crore worldwide on its opening day, with Rs 22 crore from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, Rs 13 crore from overseas markets, Rs 3 crore from Karnataka, and Rs 2 crore from Tamil Nadu and other parts of India.

The film maintained strong momentum on its second day, adding an estimated Rs 36 crore globally, driven by robust ticket sales and positive word-of-mouth.

In India, HIT 3 netted Rs 33 crore over two days, with the Telugu version contributing Rs 31.5 crore. The film’s performance in Hyderabad has been particularly dominant.

The film’s success is attributed to its gripping crime-thriller narrative, Nani’s intense performance as Arjun Sarkar, and high-octane action sequences, which have resonated with audiences.

Criticism

However, the film also faced heavy criticism for its use of expletives and excessive violence and bloodshed. The second half received mixed to negative responses, raising concerns about the film’s ability to sustain its momentum beyond the opening weekend. Its performance after Monday remains uncertain.

HIT 4 with Karthi

The HIT franchise, known for its gripping thrillers, has steadily grown in popularity with each installment. HIT 3 builds on the success of HIT 2, which was buoyed by Adivi Sesh’s star power, and now features Nani as the face of the expanding universe. The filmmakers have hinted at further developments within the HIT cinematic universe.

“HIT 3” ends with a surprise cameo by Tamil star Karthi, who appears as Veerappan, a police officer. In his brief appearance, he clarifies that he is not Tamilian, but a bilingual officer — setting the stage for HIT 4, where he will take the lead role.