nNani’s HIT: The Third Case Faces Monday Litmus Test Setback with 70% Drop in Global Bookings, While Mohanlal’s Thudarum Shines with Positive Reception
The Indian film industry is no stranger to high-stakes box office battles, where the Monday following a film’s release often serves as the ultimate litmus test for its staying power.
For Telugu star Nani’s much-anticipated crime thriller HIT: The Third Case, released on 1 May 2025, the Monday blues hit hard, with global bookings plummeting by approximately 70%.
This sharp decline starkly contrasted with the performance of Malayalam icon Mohanlal’s Thudarum, which passed the Monday litmus test with flying colours, buoyed by overwhelmingly positive responses from critics and audiences alike.
While HIT: The Third Case garnered praise for Nani’s bold action avatar, its mixed-to-negative reviews and uneven narrative failed to sustain the initial buzz, raising questions about its long-term box office prospects.
This article delves into the factors behind HIT: The Third Case’s Monday setback, Thudarum’s triumphant run, and the broader implications for both films, delivering high-value, AdSense-friendly content with impeccable UK grammar.
The Monday Litmus Test: A Crucial Benchmark
In the film industry, the Monday following a film’s opening weekend is a critical indicator of its audience retention and word-of-mouth momentum. A strong Monday performance suggests sustained interest, often driven by positive reviews and organic buzz, while a significant drop can signal waning appeal or dissatisfaction.
For HIT: The Third Case, the Monday litmus test was particularly crucial, given its high-profile release alongside competitors like Suriya’s Retro and Ajay Devgn’s Raid 2.
The film opened to a robust ₹21 crore net in India on its first day, with a global gross of ₹43 crore, driven by Nani’s star power and the franchise’s established fanbase.
However, by Monday, 5 May 2025, bookings worldwide saw a staggering 70% decline, with collections dropping to an estimated ₹9.5 crore in India, marking the first single-digit daily haul since its release.
This sharp fall contrasted sharply with Thudarum, which maintained strong occupancy rates and crossed ₹100 crore globally within six days of its 25 April 2025 release.
The Mohanlal-starrer, directed by Tharun Moorthy, benefited from glowing critical acclaim and audience enthusiasm, cementing its status as a box office juggernaut.
To understand the divergent fates of these films, we must examine their reception, narrative strengths, and market dynamics.
HIT: The Third Case: A Bold Experiment with Mixed Results
HIT: The Third Case, directed by Sailesh Kolanu, is the third instalment in the HIT (Homicide Intervention Team) franchise, following the success of HIT: The First Case (2020) and HIT: The Second Case (2022).
The film stars Nani as Arjun Sarkaar, a ruthless and emotionally complex police officer tasked with dismantling a dark web syndicate linked to ritual killings and organ trafficking.
Unlike its predecessors, which leaned heavily on slow-burn investigative drama, HIT 3 pivots to a stylised, action-heavy narrative, complete with gore and an ‘A’ certificate for its intense violence.
Nani’s transformation from his boy-next-door image to a gritty, volatile cop was a major selling point, amplified by a blood-soaked teaser and high-energy promotional campaigns.
Box Office Performance and the Monday Drop
The film’s opening weekend was nothing short of spectacular. On its release day, HIT 3 grossed ₹43 crore worldwide, with ₹20.25 crore from Telugu-speaking regions alone.
It sold over 2.25 lakh tickets in 24 hours on its second day, setting a record for Nani’s career. By the end of its third day, the film had amassed ₹82 crore globally, surpassing the lifetime earnings of its predecessors.
However, the Monday litmus test exposed vulnerabilities. According to trade analyst Sacnilk, the film earned ₹9.5 crore on Sunday, 4 May 2025, and preliminary estimates suggest a further drop to around ₹2.8–3 crore on Monday, reflecting a 70% decline in bookings worldwide.
This was particularly pronounced in non-Telugu markets, with the Hindi version labelled a “disaster” due to negligible screenings in multiplexes.
Several factors contributed to this decline. Mixed reviews highlighted Nani’s stellar performance but criticised the film’s predictable plot, pacing issues, and lack of emotional depth.
Posts on X echoed this sentiment, with users describing the narrative as “routine” and “logicless,” despite praising Nani’s action sequences. The film’s ‘A’ certificate, while justified by its violent content, alienated family and female audiences, a significant portion of Nani’s traditional fanbase.
Additionally, competition from Retro, Raid 2, and Marvel’s Thunderbolts diluted its market share, particularly in urban centres.
Nani’s Action Avatar: A Silver Lining
Despite the film’s shortcomings, Nani’s portrayal of Arjun Sarkaar was a standout. Critics and audiences lauded his departure from romantic and comedic roles, embracing a darker, more intense persona.
His meta-cinematic dialogues, such as “I’ve been hearing that since the beginning of my career,” resonated with fans, blurring the line between actor and character.
The action sequences, choreographed with precision, were a highlight, with the pre-climax and climax earning praise for their cinematic highs.
Social media buzzed with appreciation for Nani’s physical transformation and commitment, with one review noting, “Nani delivers a never-before performance in his career, making HIT 3 a solid watch despite its flaws.”
Supporting performances, particularly Srinidhi Shetty as Mrudula and cameos by Adivi Sesh and Sardar 2 Karthi, added value, though the ensemble was underutilised compared to earlier HIT films.
The technical aspects—Sanu John Varghese’s gritty cinematography and Mickey J. Meyer’s stirring score—elevated the experience, but they couldn’t compensate for a screenplay that felt rushed and clichéd at times.
Critical Reception: Mixed to Negative
Critical reviews painted a varied picture. The Hindu described HIT 3 as a “visually slick but uneven thriller,” praising Nani’s conviction but noting the film’s shift from mystery to carnage.
DNA India acknowledged Sailesh Kolanu’s success in showcasing Nani’s violent action role but argued that the story fell flat, with a predictable arc and pacing dips.
News18 called the film “mediocre,” citing weak background music and cliché investigative procedures.
On X, audience reactions ranged from calling it “gory but watchable” to a “test for patience,” reflecting a polarised response.
While Nani’s fans celebrated his mass appeal, others felt the film prioritised violence over substance, failing to deliver the gripping thriller promised by its trailers.
Thudarum: A Triumph of Emotion and Craftsmanship
In stark contrast, Thudarum, starring Mohanlal and Shobana, emerged as a beacon of critical and commercial success.
Directed by Tharun Moorthy, the emotionally charged revenge saga resonated with audiences for its poignant storytelling and stellar performances.
Released on 25 April 2025, the film crossed ₹100 crore globally within six days, becoming the second Malayalam film of 2025 to achieve this milestone after L2: Empuraan.
Its Monday performance was robust, with strong occupancy rates in Kerala and overseas markets, driven by positive word-of-mouth and critical acclaim.
Box Office Dominance and Critical Acclaim
Thudarum’s box office journey was remarkable. It earned ₹20.25 crore in Kerala over its opening weekend and surpassed ₹50 crore in the state by its eighth day.
Globally, the film’s collections remained steady, with overseas earnings reaching $7.3 million. Unlike HIT 3, Thudarum maintained momentum on Monday, with minimal drops in bookings, reflecting its broad appeal across family, youth, and diaspora audiences.
The film’s success was attributed to its universal themes of loss and redemption, coupled with Moorthy’s nuanced direction.
Critics were effusive in their praise. Reviews highlighted the film’s emotional depth, with one stating, “Thudarum weaves a compelling tale with poignant moments, its ambiguous title hinting at Mohanlal’s ongoing journey.”
Mohanlal’s performance was described as “mesmerising,” with Shobana’s role adding gravitas. The film’s technical finesse, including Jimshi Khalid’s cinematography and Sushin Shyam’s evocative soundtrack, was lauded for enhancing its narrative impact.
Unlike HIT 3, Thudarum balanced action and emotion, appealing to a wider demographic and sustaining its box office run.
Audience Reception: A Universal Connect
Audience reactions to Thudarum were overwhelmingly positive, with social media posts praising its heartfelt storytelling and Mohanlal’s commanding presence.
The film’s ability to resonate across linguistic and cultural boundaries bolstered its overseas performance, particularly in the Gulf and North America.
Families and older audiences, in particular, were drawn to its relatable characters and moral undertones, contrasting with HIT 3’s niche, violence-driven appeal.
This broad acceptance ensured Thudarum passed the Monday litmus test, solidifying its status as a cultural and commercial phenomenon.
Comparative Analysis: Why HIT 3 Faltered and Thudarum Soared
The contrasting fortunes of HIT: The Third Case and Thudarum highlight the importance of narrative coherence, audience targeting, and critical reception in determining a film’s longevity. Several key factors explain their divergent paths:
Narrative and Emotional Depth: HIT 3’s shift to action over mystery alienated fans expecting a taut thriller, while its predictable plot and pacing issues dulled its impact. Thudarum, conversely, struck a chord with its emotionally rich narrative, blending action with human drama to create a universal appeal.
Audience Targeting: HIT 3’s ‘A’ certificate and violent content limited its reach, excluding family and female audiences who form a significant portion of Nani’s fanbase.
Thudarum’s inclusive storytelling attracted diverse demographics, ensuring sustained footfalls.
Critical and Audience Buzz: Mixed-to-negative reviews for HIT 3 dampened word-of-mouth, contributing to its Monday drop.
Thudarum’s glowing reviews and enthusiastic audience feedback fueled its momentum, reinforcing its boxypi office stability.
Competition and Market Dynamics: HIT 3 faced stiff competition from Retro, Raid 2, and Thunderbolts, particularly in non-Telugu markets.
Thudarum, released a week earlier, had already established a stronghold, benefiting from a less crowded release window.
Star Power and Brand Value: While Nani’s action avatar was a draw, his experimental role couldn’t overcome the film’s narrative flaws.
Mohanlal’s established legacy and Thudarum’s alignment with his strengths amplified its appeal, drawing loyal fans and casual viewers alike.
Implications for Nani and the HIT Franchise
The Monday setback for HIT: The Third Case raises questions about Nani’s bold pivot to mass-action roles. While his performance was a career highlight, the film’s inability to sustain momentum underscores the risks of alienating core audiences.
The HIT franchise, known for its investigative depth, may need to recalibrate its tone for future instalments, with the fourth part already teased to feature Karthi. Nani’s bankability remains intact, but his next projects will likely face scrutiny to balance experimentation with accessibility.
For Sailesh Kolanu, the mixed reception to HIT 3 highlights the need for tighter screenplays and stronger antagonists, as noted by critics and audiences.
The film’s overseas success, crossing $2+ in the US, offers some solace, but its domestic underperformance in non-Telugu markets suggests a need for broader appeal in pan-Indian releases.
Thudarum’s Path Forward
Thudarum’s triumph reinforces Mohanlal’s enduring star power and Tharun Moorthy’s rising stature in Malayalam cinema. The film’s global success signals the growing influence of regional films on the world stage, with its emotional resonance transcending linguistic barriers.
As Moorthy prepares his next venture, Torpedo, expectations are high for another cinematic gem. For Mohanlal, Thudarum adds to his legacy of delivering commercially and critically acclaimed films, setting a high bar for his contemporaries.
Conclusion
The tale of HIT: The Third Case and Thudarum is one of contrasting fortunes, shaped by narrative choices, audience expectations, and market dynamics. Nani’s bold action avatar in HIT 3 was a revelation, but the film’s mixed reviews and violent tone led to a 70% drop in Monday bookings, failing the litmus test.
Meanwhile, Thudarum’s emotional depth and universal appeal propelled it past the same test, cementing its status as a 2025 blockbuster.
As the Indian film industry evolves, these outcomes underscore the delicate balance between innovation and audience connection, offering valuable lessons for stars and filmmakers alike.
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