In an unexpected turn of events at the box office, Nani’s crime thriller Hit 3 has emerged as the biggest opener among the May Day releases, outclassing high-profile films Retro and Raid 2. The film, which was released alongside Suriya’s Retro and the sequel Raid 2, surprised trade analysts and audiences alike with its whopping ₹38 crore worldwide opening, setting a new benchmark for Nani.
What was anticipated to be a tight contest among the three movies soon became a one-horse race, with Hit 3 leaving its rivals in the dust right from the morning shows. Though Retro and Raid 2 generated a lot of buzz, Hit 3 translated that buzz into box office gold with a sensational response, particularly in the Telugu-speaking states.
Nani Delivers His Career-Best Opener With Hit 3
Prior to the release, Hit 3 was seen as a likely hit but perhaps not a chart-topper, particularly when set alongside a star such as Suriya or a sequel with an established fan base such as Raid 2. Yet, the intense trailer, the imposing background score, and the high-octane narrative of Hit 3 held on to the imagination of audiences, pulling them in huge numbers all over Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and abroad.
The Day 1 count in the end reads:
- Hit 3: ₹38 crore (Worldwide Gross)
- Retro: ₹32.5 crore (Worldwide Gross)
- Raid 2: ₹26 crore (Worldwide Gross)
These numbers have sent shockwaves through the industry. Nani, often referred to as the “Natural Star,” has now added ‘box office heavyweight’ to his credentials. Hit 3 has surpassed even Dasara, which previously held the record for Nani’s biggest opening.
Trade sources are of the opinion that a mix of heavy storytelling, mass appeal of Nani, and positive word-of-mouth during the initial weeks saw Hit 3 burst and reign supreme right from the first show. Many cinema halls even recorded sold-out shows in more than one slot, something which hadn’t been observed for a mid-budget Telugu thriller in recent times.
Retro Opens Well, But Falls Short of Expectations
Although Retro, featuring Suriya and Pooja Hegde, yielded a good ₹32.5 crore gross worldwide, the movie failed to meet the sky-high expectations created by fans and trade circles. With the success and hype of Kanguva behind it, most people anticipated Retro to open bigger, particularly with a holiday release and good star value.
In spite of this, Retro actually did quite well in Tamil Nadu, garnering Suriya’s highest-ever opening in Tamil Nadu, overtaking even Kanguva in the region. The film, directed by Karthik Subbaraj, was well received for its visually appealing presentation and dramatic emotional performances. Yet its traction seems to be a tad more localized in nature than the wider pan-Indian thrust that Hit 3 was able to garner.
However, Retro still continues to be a force to be reckoned with heading into the weekend, and its showing in urban centers and foreign Tamil pockets might continue to propel its total in the next few days.
Raid 2 Opens Respectably, Hangs In With Positive Word
Third in line was Raid 2—the much-awaited sequel to the first blockbuster—grossing ₹26 crore globally on Day 1. While this is in no way a disappointing one, particularly for a franchise one, the movie fell behind its peers in both footfalls and social media clamor.
In its favor is the good word of mouth and positive reviews, and healthy audience response, particularly from the North Indian circuit where part one had built a strong following. It’s a movie with shelf life if it holds on through the weekend. According to trade experts, if the word of mouth remains good, Raid 2 can even better the first part in the second go-around.
Nevertheless, the movie’s Day 1 performance suggests that even though viewers were interested, the sequel factor in itself wasn’t strong enough to draw huge numbers by itself.
Hit 3 Brings Telugu Theatres Much-Needed Relief
One of the most beneficiary parties of Hit 3’s huge opening is the Telugu States circuit, which was suffering under the blow of some recent flops and disappointments. Exhibitors in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana have reported a sharp increase in occupancy on May Day, with numerous shows being sold out to nearly full capacity.
This unforeseen rush of audience numbers has rekindled the optimism in theatre owners and distributors, who are now convinced that Hit 3’s success will make it possible for other mid-budget films to step into the limelight at the box office.
Additionally, the performance of Hit 3 has given a big message to the producers and filmmakers: content remains king. Even without a pan-Indian star or franchise backing, the film was able to make an impact solely on the strength of engrossing storytelling, direction, and performances.
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Box Office Battle: Final Verdict Depends on Weekend Numbers
While Hit 3 has undoubtedly conquered Day 1, the test of time comes in how well these movies perform over the weekend and into weekdays. Retro also maintains a good base in Tamil Nadu and might gain momentum over other states if word-of-mouth positive reviews continue to circulate. Raid 2, too, might fare well as a slow-burn hit if family crowds turn out over the weekend.
But as of now, there’s no denying that Nani’s Hit 3 has dealt a stunning blow to its competition, reshaping the box office dynamics for 2025’s May Day releases. If the film maintains its current trajectory, it could well become one of the biggest blockbusters of the year, and a turning point in Nani’s already illustrious career.
With positive word of mouth, increased collections, and positive reviews, the foundations are in place for Hit 3 to achieve a historic box office performance.
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