The Telugu film industry has witnessed another milestone achievement as Natural Star Nani’s latest crime thriller “HIT: The Third Case” crosses the coveted $2 million mark at the North American box office. Released on May 1, 2025, this A-rated crime drama has been setting cash registers ringing worldwide, amassing an impressive Rs 100 crore gross within just four days of its theatrical run. This remarkable achievement marks Nani’s third consecutive film to surpass the $2 million threshold in the United States, cementing his position as one of Telugu cinema’s most bankable stars in international markets.
The film, directed by Sailesh Kolanu, continues the successful legacy of the HIT franchise, which has garnered critical acclaim for its gritty storytelling and compelling performances. With Nani and co-star Srinidhi Shetty actively promoting the film across major US cities, HIT 3 is expected to comfortably reach its breakeven value of $2.3 million by the end of the weekend, further solidifying its commercial success in the competitive North American market.
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A Milestone Achievement for Nani’s HIT 3 and Telugu Cinema
The $2 million milestone for “HIT: The Third Case” represents more than just a number—it signifies the growing global appeal of Telugu cinema and Nani’s consistent star power. This achievement is particularly noteworthy considering the film’s A-rating, which typically limits audience reach compared to family-friendly entertainers. Despite this potential limitation, audiences have flocked to theaters, drawn by the franchise’s reputation for delivering edge-of-the-seat thrillers and Nani’s magnetic screen presence.
What makes this achievement even more remarkable is that it completes Nani’s hat-trick of $2 million grossers in the United States. This rare feat places him in an elite club of Telugu actors who have consistently delivered box office successes in international markets. Industry analysts attribute this success to Nani’s strategic choice of diverse scripts that appeal to both domestic and international audiences, particularly the Telugu diaspora in North America.
The film’s strong performance can also be credited to the ongoing promotional tour by Nani and Srinidhi Shetty across major US cities. Their direct engagement with fans has generated substantial word-of-mouth publicity, driving ticket sales beyond initial projections. This hands-on approach to international promotion highlights how Telugu cinema has evolved in its marketing strategies to capture global audiences.
The HIT Franchise: Building a Successful Crime Universe
“HIT: The Third Case” continues the successful trajectory of the HIT franchise, which has carved a niche in the Telugu film industry as a compelling crime thriller series. Director Sailesh Kolanu has masterfully crafted a universe that combines gripping narratives with authentic police procedural elements, earning both critical acclaim and commercial success.
The franchise’s consistent quality has built a loyal fanbase that eagerly anticipates each new installment. Unlike typical sequels that often diminish in quality, the HIT series has maintained its storytelling standards while expanding its universe with each film. This consistency has been crucial in establishing the franchise’s credibility among discerning audiences.
Mickey J Meyer’s musical score, though reportedly receiving mixed reactions for its background composition, has complemented the film’s tense atmosphere. The technical aspects of the production, including cinematography and editing, have been praised for creating an immersive experience that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats throughout the runtime.
Produced jointly by Nani himself and Prashanti Tipirneni, the film demonstrates how actor-backed productions can deliver both artistic merit and commercial viability. Nani’s involvement as a producer shows his commitment to nurturing quality content in Telugu cinema beyond his contributions as an actor.
Box Office Trajectory and Future Prospects
With the film already approaching its breakeven point of $2.3 million in the US market, industry experts predict it will comfortably surpass this figure by the end of the weekend. The strong weekday collections indicate sustained audience interest beyond the opening weekend rush, suggesting positive word-of-mouth is driving continued ticket sales.
Domestically, the film’s performance has been equally impressive, with collections approaching the Rs 100 crore mark in just four days. This performance is particularly noteworthy in the post-pandemic era, where theatrical releases face stiff competition from streaming platforms and changing audience viewing habits.
The success of “HIT: The Third Case” opens up exciting possibilities for the franchise’s future. With each installment outperforming its predecessor, speculation is already building about a potential fourth entry in the series. The film’s performance also strengthens Nani’s position as a producer with a keen eye for commercially viable yet content-driven projects.
As the film continues its theatrical run, all eyes will be on its final box office figures and whether it can set new benchmarks for Telugu cinema in international markets. Regardless of its ultimate total, “HIT: The Third Case” has already secured its place in the record books as a significant achievement for Nani and the evolving global footprint of Telugu cinema.
Nani’s Recent Films Performance in USA
| Film Title | USA Box Office Collection | Release Year | Days to Reach $2M |
|---|---|---|---|
| HIT: The Third Case | $2M+ (still running) | 2025 | 4 days |
| Dasara | $2.4M | 2023 | 10 days |
| Ante Sundaraniki | $2.1M | 2022 | 14 days |
| Shyam Singha Roy | $1.8M | 2021 | N/A |
| Tuck Jagadish | OTT Release | 2021 | N/A |
HIT Franchise Box Office Comparison
| Film | Worldwide Gross | USA Collection | Budget | Director |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HIT: The First Case | Rs 15 crore | $0.5M | Rs 10 crore | Sailesh Kolanu |
| HIT: The Second Case | Rs 35 crore | $0.9M | Rs 15 crore | Sailesh Kolanu |
| HIT: The Third Case | Rs 100+ crore (running) | $2M+ (running) | Rs 40 crore | Sailesh Kolanu |
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FAQs
A1: “HIT: The Third Case” distinguishes itself from previous installments through its darker tone and more complex narrative. While maintaining the franchise’s signature investigative thriller format, the third film features Nani in a morally ambiguous role that pushes boundaries compared to the protagonists in earlier films.
Additionally, this installment has received an A-rating for its mature content and graphic sequences, indicating a more intense viewing experience. The production scale has also been significantly expanded, with a budget nearly triple that of the first film, allowing for more elaborate set pieces and higher production values.
A2: While no official announcement has been made regarding “HIT 4,” the commercial success of the third installment strongly suggests the franchise will continue. Director Sailesh Kolanu has previously mentioned in interviews that he envisioned HIT as a multi-film universe with interconnected stories. Given that each film has outperformed its predecessor at the box office, producers would likely be eager to greenlight another installment.
Industry insiders suggest that preliminary discussions may already be underway, with potential plans to expand the universe further by introducing new characters while maintaining connections to previous cases. Fans can reasonably expect an announcement about the next chapter in the franchise within the next few months.
