Natural Star Nani makes the transition to Violent Star Nani with HIT 3, the Sailesh Kolanu written and directed third instalment in his HIT universe, which is the actor’s presentation through his Wall Poster Cinema banner. The film opened with early morning shows on May 1 and the response has been overwhelmingly positive, especially for Nani, with audiences unanimous that HIT3’s Arjun Sarkaar is, undoubtedly, the star’s best performance.

If you like adrenaline-pumping action like in HIT 3, also check out Marco and the John Wick series on OTTplay Premium  

#HIT3 .. pre climax to climax .. bloody violence .. action like kill bill. Cult violence I must say.

Cinematography stands out .. brilliant action sequence … 🔥🔥🔥@KolanuSailesh you conceive one of the best action sequences in TFI. @NameisNani what a performer .. acting…

— Shiva Kumar Grandhi (@sivakumargrandh) April 30, 2025

HIT 3 is Nani's career best performance: Netizens

Comments ranged from, “HIT3 is a Nani show from start-to-finish and is his career-defining performance,” to “A pure Nani show; he never disappoints. Pure blend of commercial and thriller”, “Superb first half, predictable second, with great cameos”, “Nani wanted to prove a point with HIT and he has done it beautifully”, “Nani can do any role; Arjun Sarkaar will be remembered”, “Direction, screenplay, dialogues on spot; cinematography next level”, among others.

A pure nani show
The blend of commercial and thriller has worked big time. #Nani's characterization has worked big time! #Nani never disappoints dot #HIT3 #Hit3review pic.twitter.com/sNd5CnI11L

— Akheel (@Raavan005) May 1, 2025

Take a bow @NameisNani u have taken action to some other level till date best action movie made in bharat 🇮🇳 #HIT3TheThirdCase #HIT3Review #HIT3 #HIT3FromMay1st cant wait for #HIT4 bring it on ❤️ pic.twitter.com/gWm74ToDlp

— Maasterstrokee 🇮🇳 (@jaihojanta19) May 1, 2025

There are the odd brickbats too, with some audiences opining that Nani and Sailesh have chosen to go with style over substance and too much gore. A few have also called Sailesh’s writing below par and predictable, but even when audiences have not been impressed with the final product, one thing that stood out is that Nani’s performance enthralled one and all. Fans have also hailed KGF and Cobra fame Srinidhi Shetty’s role in Mrudula, hinting that the makers have given her enough room in an action-packed commercial movie, a rarity in that space.

Sailesh Kolanu’s writing in a nutshell. Always lacks originality

Crime investigation and setup from documentaries and true crime

Cameos, camera setup from lokesh Kanagaraj, cant go beyond the striaght rip off of vikram as Saindhav. #HIT3 - Average at best pic.twitter.com/k9R4SE8v29

— Namith (@Namith03) May 1, 2025

#Hit3
Decent 1st half
Below par 2nd half

Nani performance 👌👍
Action choreography most of the part 👍👍
Core plot & direction inconsistent 👎👎
Heavy violence 👎
Songs 👎

Overall strictly one time watch for action movie lovers and is the weakest movie in the franchise.

— TollyTrade (@Sivaiah33220692) May 1, 2025

In all the promotional interviews, given the extent of violence in the trailer and the fact that the film was censored A, Nani had requested audiences to not judge the film based on the 2 minutes they were given to see. While he did not deny there would be ample violence, he insisted that the film had far more than just gore and bloodshed and that it is a natural progression of the investigation into a particular case.