HIT: The Third Case Review

In today's film industry, franchise movies are where the big bucks flow. Much like Hollywood's Marvel or DC universes, Indian cinema has embraced the concept of interconnected film worlds. Bollywood boasts its Spy Universe and Cop Universe, and now Tollywood has carved its niche with the Hit Universe. HIT here means Homicide Intervention Team.

These cinematic universes thrive on high production values, recurring characters and consistent storytelling. A hallmark of such franchises is the cross-pollination of star power - leading actors from one film often appear in cameo roles in another, enriching the shared narrative.

The HIT franchise initially stood out for its gripping and cerebral murder mysteries, engaging audiences with layered investigations and psychological depth. However, with HIT 3, the franchise seems to have taken a detour. The emphasis has shifted from unraveling cryptic crimes to showcasing stylized action and adrenaline-fuelled sequences.

That said, the change in tone doesn't necessarily spell failure. While it may have strayed from its original formula, HIT 3 still holds its ground as a high-octane action thriller - just of a different kind.

Arjun Sarkar (Nani) is a short-tempered, fierce and aggressive Superintendent of Police in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). He is known for his ruthless yet efficient methods of handling criminals and solving crimes. While still in J&K, he receives video footage of 13 murders committed on the same day, all executed in an identical fashion across the country. Arjun launches an investigation that leads him to the CTK (Capture, Torture, Kill) gang behind the brutal killings.

HIT fans are in for a surprise right from the start. This story is neither as consistent nor as complex as in the previous two installments. However, it's wackily entertaining. The film features larger-than-life cinematic sequences reminiscent of John Wick, Kill Bill, and the Indonesian film The Raid, alongside everyday humorous interactions and one-liners that feel more grounded - similar to what you'd find in Hera Pheri or Awara Pagal Deewana. Both tones are entertaining in their own way, and manage to complement each other.

That said, there doesn't seem to be much effort put into the story, the mystery or the suspense. It lacks the gripping, investigative elements expected from a thriller. Yet, the way the film unfolds feels thrilling, rich and fast-paced. It introduces novelty through stylized action sequences, diverse locations and a unique ensemble cast drawn from both the North and South of India.

The story spans multiple geographies, including Visakhapatnam, Bihar, Rajasthan, Jammu & Kashmir and the North-Eastern states, with action sequences unfolding in the most unlikely of terrains. This also results in cinematography so captivating that you can't take your eyes off the screen.

The movie rests squarely on Nani's shoulders, and he shines - even in scenes where he isn't in full-on action mode. For instance, his interactions with his father (played by Samuthirakani), a J&K police chief (played by Tisca Chopra), and a terrorist (played by a relatively unknown but impressive actor) stand out.

There's a rich use of North Indian dialects throughout the film, as Nani's character frequently interacts with people speaking different regional tongues. This linguistic interplay gives rise to several humorous moments. For example, while interrogating a terrorist in Hindi, Arjun uses the Telugu word "ante". The terrorist asks, "Ante matlab?" and Arjun replies, "Ante matlab ante," sparking a comical exchange that spirals amusingly.

When he speaks with his father or other Telugu characters, the dialogues are profane but still entertaining. The same applies to other cast members as well. Though the lines were likely penned by a screenwriter, it appears the actors improvised them at times to make the conversations feel more natural and occasionally quirky.

Prateik Babbar is a letdown in his role as the main antagonist in this movie - it's a case of poor casting. Abhimanyu Singh has long been a favourite Bollywood import for such roles, and this one needed a better villain. The rest of the cast are serviceable and effective in their roles.

Srinidhi Shetty as Mrudula (Arjun's love interest) is forgettable - probably because the director seems to have forgotten her. You already know her from past performances, especially in KGF and other Kannada films. Here, she appears in a song, utters a word or two, and then reappears in the climactic action sequence.

The performances in the climax by Adivi Sesh (from the previous film in the franchise) and Karthi (from the upcoming HIT 4, slated for 2026) are memorable.

On the technical front, the production values are rich and the background score is decent. But full credit goes to the cinematographer and set designer for pulling off elaborate action sequences in the most unlikely and challenging terrains.

Nani fans and HIT Universe followers will definitely turn up for this one. It's a good one-time watch for the rest, too - but it's a film made for the big screen, not for OTTs.