Nani’s HIT 3 has opened strong, bringing relief to the struggling Telugu film industry. Directed by Sailesh Kolanu, the film released on May 1 and picked up momentum quickly.
By 5:30 PM on Day 1, the film had sold over 5 lakh tickets. This made it the highest-selling non-big star Telugu release on BookMyShow since August 2023. It surpassed Sankrantiki Vastunnam, which had sold 4.41 lakh tickets.
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Early trade estimates suggest a worldwide Day 1 gross of 18–20 crores, according to trade experts. That’s a solid number considering the film’s modest scale and the recent poor run at the box office.
The reviews have been mixed, and word of mouth is average. But Nani’s reliable box office pull, and strong pre-release buzz are helping.
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HIT 3 will drop tomorrow but will again pick up on Saturday and Sunday. Analysts believe the film could reach breakeven by the weekend.
This success comes at a crucial time. The Telugu film industry has been going through a dry spell. Audiences have been avoiding theatres.
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Single screens were shutting down. Theatre owners even struggled to pay staff salaries. Distributors were desperate for a hit. HIT 3 has given them some relief and renewed hope.
On the other hand, Retro hasn’t clicked with audiences. It is barely staying afloat. After the first weekend, it is a packup for Retro.
Whether HIT 3 can cross Dasara’s box office total is uncertain. But for now, it has brought some energy back to the Telugu industry.
