HIT: The Third Case Review: A Gripping & Twisted Thriller

The Homicide Intervention Team (HIT) is called to action once again, this time facing a string of ritualistic murders in Hyderabad. Enter Arjun Sarkaar (Nani), a hot-headed officer with a personal vendetta and a reputation for bending rules. He’s paired with rookie analyst Mrudula (Srinidhi Shetty) and veteran Nageswara Rao (Rao Ramesh) to track a “group of killers” whose spree grows more audacious by the day. The killers are led by a shadowy figure named Alpha (Prateik Smita Patil) and a chilling operator called the Jaipur Killer (Amit Sharma). As bodies pile up, Arjun’s past trauma collides with the case, forcing him to choose between justice and vengeance. The narrative unfolds over 157 minutes, weaving through interrogation rooms, chase sequences, and a few too many red herrings before a finale that tries to shock but feels slightly rushed.

Sailesh Kolanu knows how to craft a grim atmosphere. From the opening frames-a neon-lit alleyway, a body posed like a macabre sculpture-the film establishes a world where violence feels methodical. The cinematography by [uncredited but notable] uses tight frames and muted colors, mirroring Arjun’s claustrophobic psyche. Nani sheds his boy-next-door charm entirely; his Arjun is a man with a dead stare, a clenched jaw, and a trauma that leaks through gruff dialogue. The actor commits fully, delivering a performance that’s physically intense (the fight scenes are raw) and emotionally restrained. It’s his best work in a darker role since Jersey’s opposite turn.

The supporting cast holds its own. Srinidhi Shetty’s Mrudula is underwritten-she’s mostly a sounding board for exposition-but she brings a quiet resilience. Rao Ramesh is dependable as the weary senior cop. Amit Sharma’s Jaipur Killer is genuinely unsettling; his quiet menace outshines Prateik Smita Patil’s Alpha, who feels undercooked despite a promising monologue about societal decay. Adil Pala and Surya Srinivas add texture as minor antagonistic forces, though their screen time is brief.

Where the film stumbles is pacing. At 157 minutes, the middle act drags. There’s a sequence set in a abandoned factory that goes on for 20 minutes too long, losing the tautness of earlier scenes. The script-also by Kolanu-leans on coincidence: key clues drop into Arjun’s lap too easily, and a subplot involving a corrupt politician (Komalee Prasad’s Varsha) feels tacked on. The action, while brutal, is sporadically choreographed; a rooftop chase is exhilarating, but a car-bike pursuit is muddled by shaky editing.

The biggest misstep is the resolution. The killer’s motive-tied to a corruption ring-is timely but handled with a rushed CSI-style revelation that undercuts the psychological tension built earlier. Still, the final confrontation between Arjun and the Jaipur Killer is a standout: a quiet, intense conversation in a rain-slicked parking lot that lets Nani and Sharma spar with dialogue instead of fists. That scene alone justifies the ticket price for fans of slow-burn thrillers.

Pros

• Nani’s committed, layered performance as a scarred officer.
• Strong atmosphere and moody cinematography.
• Amit Sharma’s Jaipur Killer is a memorable, chilling antagonist.
• Effective action set-pieces (especially the rooftop sequence).
• Respects the franchise’s tone without rehashing previous plots.

Cons

• Bloated runtime; the middle act desperately needs trimming.
• Mrudula’s character is underwritten and relies on clunky exposition.
• Some plot conveniences undermine the “clever thriller” ambition.
• Final act feels rushed; the killer’s reveal lacks punch.
• Supporting villains (Alpha, Varsha) are underdeveloped.

HIT: The Third Case is a solid genre entry that doesn’t reinvent the wheel but keeps it spinning. Nani’s fierce acting and a few genuinely tense moments make it worth the watch for fans of Indian crime thrillers. The flaws-a sagging middle, a hasty climax-prevent it from reaching HIT 2’s level of sharpness, but it’s a step up from the original’s rough edges. If you’re in the mood for a brutal, brooding procedural with a lead who’ll stick in your mind, this is your weekend pick. Just don’t expect a masterpiece-expect a competent, messy, and occasionally thrilling cop drama. 6.5/10