HIT: The Third Case (2025) Movie: Nani’s Action Film Loses the Franchise’s Thriller Soul
HIT: The Third Case sees Nani stepping into completely uncharted territory as Arjun Sarkaar. This cop isn’t your typical hero – he’s brutal, uncompromising, and frankly scary. Sailesh Kolanu takes his crime series down a much darker path this time.
The movie stars Srinidhi Shetty opposite Nani, with familiar faces Karthi and Adivi Sesh dropping by. Released in May 2025, this film runs close to three hours and definitely isn’t meant for family viewing.
The Story That Unfolds
Arjun gets assigned to solve a string of vicious killings up north. The moment he arrives, you know this won’t be another typical police procedural. His methods shock everyone around him, including his own team members.
What drives a good cop to become so violent? The movie slowly peels back layers of Arjun’s past. His previous operations in conflict zones have clearly changed him in fundamental ways.
There’s a love story thrown in with Mridula, but honestly, it feels out of place. I kept wondering why the writers bothered with romance when the main story had so much potential. The two tracks never really connect in any meaningful way.
The cyber-crime angle involving dark web networks sounds promising on paper. Unfortunately, the film doesn’t dig deep enough into this modern threat. It remains more of a backdrop than a driving force.
Acting That Stands Out
Nani throws everything into this role and it shows in every frame. He’s unrecognizable from his previous work, both physically and emotionally. This performance will definitely surprise people who know him only from romantic comedies.
Srinidhi does her job without making much impression either way. Her character exists mainly to provide emotional relief from all the violence. The romantic scenes feel mechanical rather than heartfelt.
The supporting actors fill their roles competently. Rao Ramesh brings his usual dignity to a thankless part. The brief appearances by series regulars help maintain franchise continuity without feeling forced.
Most characters outside Arjun don’t get proper development. Everyone else serves the plot rather than feeling like actual people. This makes emotional moments fall flat when they should hit harder.
How It’s Made
Kolanu’s direction works best during action sequences where his vision feels clear and focused. The dramatic scenes lack the same sure touch. He knows how to stage violence effectively but struggles with quieter character beats.
The camera work captures the brutal world convincingly. Dark lighting and handheld shots create an appropriately gritty feel. The background music builds tension well, especially during confrontation scenes.
Production design creates believable environments across multiple locations. Everything looks expensive and detailed. However, all this technical polish can’t hide the script’s fundamental problems with pacing and character motivation.
I felt the movie looked great but missed opportunities to explore its themes more thoughtfully. The violence becomes repetitive rather than meaningful. Better writing could have made this a standout entry in the series.
Rating: 3/5
