On May 1, two South stars dreaming of pan-India stardom — Nani and Suriya — are heading for a box office clash with their new films HIT: The Third Case and Retro.
In HIT 3, Nani plays Arjun Sarkaar, a tough and intense cop, directed by Sailesh Kolanu. The story revolves around a 9-month-old baby who goes missing. A heartbroken mother pleads for help, and Arjun takes charge of the case with full force.
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The trailer hints at brutal action, deep emotional layers, and Arjun’s personal backstory. Nani’s character is aggressive, with the attitude that criminals belong either in jail or in a grave. The film is expected to be packed with suspense, crime, and emotion.
On the other hand, Suriya’s Retro trailer hasn’t made much of an impact—at least not in Telugu. Directed by Karthik Subbaraj, the film’s trailer leans into abstract storytelling and emotional aesthetics.
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While it’s visually stylized, it hasn’t struck a chord with the Telugu audience. Subbaraj’s signature grammar—artsy, layered, and niche—continues to limit his reach here.
Many were hoping Retro would be massier and more engaging, but it seems more like a spiritual successor to Mahaan, which had zero impact outside Tamil cinephile circles.
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After the release of both trailers, HIT 3 clearly has the upper hand in creating curiosity and that urge to watch it on the big screen.
It’s not that HIT 3’s trailer is extraordinary, but it definitely stands out when compared to Retro, whose trailer has largely gone unnoticed in Telugu circles. Retro’s promo simply lacks that adrenaline or intrigue that pulls audiences to theaters.
Trade experts are already seeing the impact. Exhibitors across regions are preferring HIT 3 and are even willing to offer strong minimum guarantees (MGs).
This demand is driven by the combination of a decent trailer, Nani’s consistent goodwill, and the not-so-great response to Retro’s trailer. As a result, what was initially seen as a box office clash is now leaning heavily in HIT 3’s favor.
Still, trailers can only do so much. The real test begins on May 1, when both films hit the screens. Only then will we see whether this early advantage translates into real numbers at the box office.
