'Happy to collaborate with Dulquer on 'Hit: The Third Case'': Nani on what to expect from his new action outing

'Natural Star' Nani, who is back in the third film in the HIT (Homicide Intervention Team) movie series titled HIT: The Third Case, was in Kerala to promote the film co-starring Srinidhi Shetty (KGF films), and directed by Sailesh Kolanu who made the first two films as well.

While the first starred Vishwak Sen and the second, Adivi Sesh, the third has Nani playing the protagonist, a fierce cop named Arjun Sarkaar ("Arjun to the people and Sarkaar to the criminals," he says in the recently released trailer), who showed up in a cameo in HIT: The Second Case.

Dulquer Salmaan's Wayfarer Films is distributing the film in Kerala. Interestingly, Nani's connection with the Malayalam star goes way back — to OK Bangaram, the Telugu-dubbed version of the Mani Ratnam romantic drama, in which Nani lent his voice to the actor.

On collaborating with Dulquer, the Shyam Singha Roy actor said he is happy that Wayfarer Films is releasing HIT 3 in Kerala and "extending the collaboration that started with OK Bangaram. Calling him a "good friend," Nani said he loves Dulquer's work and hopes to associate with him in the future.

An actor known for his natural performances and versatility, Nani, who has demonstrated his knack for choosing different genres that run the gamut from comedy to romance to action, added that his interest in trying different genres compelled him to pick HIT: The Third Case.

"The first two films were whodunits; this film, however, is not like that... it's more about the overall experience," he said, calling it a theatre-friendly, adrenaline-charged experience. "There are a lot of edge-of-the-seat scenes, but it's not about one person — it's much larger than that."

Since the HIT 3 trailer slightly hinted at the expected level of bloodshed, Nani told the press that the violence is not over-the-top and there is a reason for this approach. "Violence is just a part of it. But once you see the film, you'll see it's not the violence you'll be talking about, but the overall experience."

HIT: The Third Case also sees Nani reuniting with Malayali cinematographer Sanu John Varghese, who previously worked with him in Jersey and Shyam Singha Roy.

The Ante Sundaraniki actor also confirmed that the series will have "even more exciting" instalments in the future.

Meanwhile, the actor also promises to deliver a big-screen, high-octane theatrical experience with his upcoming pan-Indian film The Paradise, slated for release on March 26, 2026. The film reteams Nani with Dasara director Srikanth Odela.

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