Franchises are ruling the box office these days. Whether it’s Bollywood with Stree 2, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2,3, and Drishyam 2, or Tollywood with Tillu Square and Pushpa 2, sequels are cashing in on the craze of previous parts.
They have a clear advantage over standalone films because they already have a built-in fan base.
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However, Nani’s HIT 3 strangely doesn’t seem to have much hype.
The HIT franchise, backed by Nani, has been a successful crime thriller series. The first film starred Vishwak Sen, while Adivi Sesh took over in the second.
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Now, for HIT 3, Nani himself is stepping into the lead role. The film is nearing completion and is set to hit screens in May 2025. There are a few months remaining until its release, and it may be early to comment, but clearly, the excitement is missing—at least for now.
Is it because director Sailesh Kolanu’s last film, Saindhav, was a total disaster? Or is it due to Nani’s recent track record, where his films were hyped pre-release but left the general audience not so impressed? Maybe viewers don’t want to fall for the same marketing tricks again.
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Another factor could be Nani playing a mass role. His films generate more buzz when he sticks to simpler, relatable characters and not larger than life characters. Franchises, too, can sometimes backfire—when they lose the surprise element.
Another reason could be the shelf life of HIT 1 and 2. While they were well-received at the time, they didn’t leave a lasting impact.
Meanwhile, OTT platforms have spoiled audiences with high-quality thrillers like Paatal Lok. Watching a crime thriller in theaters doesn’t seem all that exciting anymore—unless it offers something truly extraordinary.
To generate some buzz, the makers are bringing back stars from previous installments. Adivi Sesh, the lead of HIT 2, is making a return in HIT 3. Whether this move works in favor of the film remains to be seen.
