HIT: The Third Case (Telugu with English Subtitles) A New Chapter in the HIT Universe From the successful HIT franchise comes its most intense installment yet - "HIT: The Third Case," directed by Sailesh Kolanu, who returns to expand his meticulously crafted Homicide Intervention Team universe. Following the success of the first two films, this third chapter elevates the stakes with a more brutal, action-packed narrative that pushes boundaries while maintaining the investigative core that fans have come to love. The film marks a significant evolution for the franchise, transitioning from the more procedural approach of its predecessors into a high-octane thriller that combines psychological depth with raw intensity. Stellar Cast and Crew In a bold casting choice, Natural Star Nani takes the lead as SP Arjun Sarkaar, marking a significant departure from his typically charming, boy-next-door roles. Sarkaar represents a new kind of protagonist for the franchise – a tough, ruthless police officer with a volatile temperament that hides deep emotional wounds. Nani's transformation into this complex character showcases his versatility as an actor, delivering a performance that balances intensity with vulnerability. Starring alongside Nani is Srinidhi Shetty (of "KGF" fame), who makes an impressive debut in Telugu cinema as Mrudula. The film also features strong supporting performances from Rao Ramesh as DGP Nageswara Rao, Komalee Prasad as Varsha, Surya Srinivas as ASP Ravi, and Maganti Srinath as Abhilash.In an exciting development for cinema enthusiasts, Bollywood actor Prateik Babbar makes his Telugu debut as the film's antagonist, Alpha, bringing a fresh dynamic to the franchise.Behind the camera, the film boasts an impressive technical team. Produced by Nani himself alongside Prashanti Tipirneni under Wall Poster Cinema and Unanimous Productions, "HIT: The Third Case" reunites Nani with composer Mickey J. Meyer, following their successful collaboration in "Shyam Singha Roy" (2021). The film's stunning visuals are captured by acclaimed cinematographer Sanu John Varghese, while the editing is handled by Karthika Srinivas. The runtime stands at 157 minutes, allowing for a thorough exploration of its complex narrative. An Intense Narrative At its core, "HIT: The Third Case" follows SP Arjun Sarkaar, an officer in the Homicide Intervention Team at Visakhapatnam, who gets assigned to a case in Jammu and Kashmir to investigate a group of serial killers responsible for gruesome murders across the country. Set against the picturesque yet tumultuous backdrop of Kashmir, the film delves not only into the suspense and tension of the investigation but also explores deeper themes of morality and justice, enriched by stellar performances and a powerful musical score. What sets this narrative apart is the moral complexity at its center. Arjun Sarkaar is revealed to be a police officer who secretly commits brutal murders and records them on video. His behavior sparks widespread outrage among the public, who strongly oppose his actions and question his methods. Despite the backlash from both citizens and fellow officers, Arjun continues down his own path with unwavering determination, eventually being assigned to a special operation in Arunachal Pradesh. A key revelation shows that when Arjun was posted to HIT Jammu and Kashmir, he investigated a similar murder and apprehended the killer after a fierce fight, only to later discover that a similar murder was committed in Bihar. The harrowing nature of the crimes embedded within the beautiful yet conflicted landscape induces an emotional toll on Arjun, painting a poignant picture of a man caught between duty and the encroaching shadows of despair. Technical Excellence Sanu John Varghese's cinematography beautifully captures the snow-covered tension of Kashmir, mixing calm scenery with gritty crime scenes. Karthika Srinivas keeps the editing tight, maintaining suspense across scenes. Mickey J. Meyer's background score and songs like "Prema Velluva," "Abki Baar Arjun Sarkaar," and "Thanu" fit perfectly with the mood and pace of the film. The cinematography shows the scenes in a natural and realistic manner and carries the tone and tenor of the film in a powerful way with the deft use of camera angles and color combinations. The visuals in the forest stand out and appeal to viewers.Among the technicians, Sanu John Varghese truly stands out. His cinematography is splendid and easily the film's biggest highlight. Mickey J Meyer's music serves the film's needs, particularly enhancing the intense sequences with his background score. The dialogues are powerful and impactful, with production values from Unanimous Productions and Wall Poster Cinema being of high quality.Special mention goes to the action choreographers – Lee Whittaker & Real Satish for the solid action blocks, and the art team headed by Sri Nagendra Tangala for the authentic art and set work. The production values by Wall Poster Cinema & Unanimous Productions are solid throughout. A New Direction for the Franchise Director Sailesh Kolanu does an excellent job with his presentation. His idea of the case is fresh, and his narration is spot on. While Sailesh focused more on storytelling without deviating from the script in the first two parts of the franchise, he takes a different route this time as he attempts to add a bit of mass elevations to this thriller drama by doing a bit of fan service. Credit to Sailesh Kolanu for designing such an aggressive role and for writing crowd-pleasing dialogues for Nani's character. There are quite a few moments in the film that will appeal to fans of Nani and youth audiences. Sailesh deserves a special mention for the way he designed several adrenaline-pumping moments during the pre-climax action sequence. Nani revealed in an interview that while the previous films in the HIT franchise were whodunit thrillers where the investigation started and the killer was revealed only in the end, HIT 3 was not about 'who' but about 'how.' He further added that the film does not justify police brutality, but rather explores the psychological impact of investigating heinous crimes. The HIT Universe Expands "HIT: The Third Case" not only stands as a powerful thriller on its own but also continues to build the interconnected HIT Universe that director Sailesh Kolanu has been crafting since 2020. The mid-credits scene introduces a new police officer in Chennai, ACP Veerappan IPS, discovering a body hidden in a truck at a checkpoint, hinting at HIT: The Fourth Case. This tantalizing tease suggests that the franchise will continue to expand, potentially incorporating new characters and locations across India. With its gripping narrative, powerful performances, and stunning visuals, "HIT: The Third Case" promises to deliver an unforgettable cinematic experience. The film takes the franchise into bold new territory while honoring what made the previous installments successful. Whether you're a fan of the series or new to the HIT Universe, this intense crime thriller offers a compelling journey into the darkest corners of human nature and the toll it takes on those who must confront it.